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Senior Mathematical Challenge

Organised by the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust

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Solutions and investigations

October 1st, 2024

These solutions augment the shorter solutions also available online. The shorter solutions
sometimes leave out details. The solutions given here are full solutions, as explained below. In
some cases alternative solutions are given. There are also many additional problems for further
investigation. We welcome comments on these solutions and the additional problems. Please
send them to [email protected].
The Senior Mathematical Challenge (SMC) is a multiple-choice paper. Sometimes you can find
the correct answers by working backwards from the given alternatives, or by showing that four of
them are not correct. This can be a sensible thing to do in the context of the SMC.
However, this does not provide a full mathematical explanation that would be acceptable if you
were just given the questions without any alternative answers. So we aim at including for each
question a complete solution with each step explained (or, occasionally, left as an exercise), and
not based on the assumption that one of the given alternatives is correct. We hope that these
solutions provide a model for the type of written solution that is expected when presenting a
complete solution to a mathematical problem (for example, in the British Mathematical Olympiad,
the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls and similar competitions).

These solutions may be used freely within your school or college. You may, without further permission,
post these solutions on a website that is accessible only to staff and students of the school or college,
print out and distribute copies within the school or college, and use them in the classroom. If you wish
to use them in any other way, please consult us. © UKMT October 2024

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
E A B C B D A D E D D A C B C B E C C D B A E E A
Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

Û
1. What is two-fifths of the recurring decimal 0.2Û 5?
A 0.1Û B 0.01Û C 0.0Û 1Û D 0.10 E 0.1Û 0Û

Solution E

Method 1

One-fifth of 0.2Û 5Û is 0.05.

Û Hence two-fifths of 0.2Û 5Û is 0.1Û 0.
Û

Method 2
25 2 25 10
Since 0.2Û 5Û = , it follows that that two-fifths of 0.2Û 5Û = × = = 0.1Û 0.
Û
99 5 99 99
For investigation

1.1 Express two-thirds of 0.0Û 6Û both as a recurring decimal and as a fraction.

25
1.2 Check that 0.2Û 5Û = .
99
17
1.3 Express as a recurring decimal.
99
1.4 Express the recurring decimal 0.12 Û 3Û as a fraction.

2. A twip is a very short unit of length, derived from imperial units, and is equal to
approximately 0.000018 metres. A league is a long unit of length which is equal to
approximately 4800 metres.
Roughly how many twips are there in a league?
A 270 000 000 B 27 000 000 C 2 700 000 D 270 000
E 27 000

Solution A
4800
The number of twips in a league is . Now
0.000018
4800 4 800 000 000 800 000 000 810 000 000
= = ≈ = 270 000 000.
0.000018 18 3 3

For investigation

2.1 The length of a cricket pitch is one chain, which is 22 yards. A light year is the distance
that light travels (through a vacuum) in one year. Light travels at around 186 000 miles
per second in a vacuum. There are 1760 yards in one mile.
Approximately, how many cricket pitches can be fitted into a light year?

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

3. Two standard dice are placed on a table, with one on top of the other, so that only nine of
the faces of the dice may be seen. The touching faces have the same number on them.
The sum of the numbers on the visible faces is 33.
What is the number on the touching faces?
A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4 E 6

Solution B
Let x be the number which is on the two touching faces. On a standard dice the numbers on
opposite faces have sum 7. Hence the number on the bottom face which touches the table and
hence is not visible is 7 − x. Therefore the total of the numbers on the three faces that are not
visible is x + x + (7 − x) = 7 + x.
The total of the numbers on all six faces of a standard dice is 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 = 21.
It follows that the sum of the visible numbers is 2 × 21 − (7 + x) = 35 − x. Therefore 35 − x = 33.
Hence x = 2.

For investigation

3.1 Suppose that three standard dice are placed on a table stacked one above the other. In this
situation there are thirteen visible numbers.
What is the highest possible total of the thirteen visible numbers?

4. The sizes of the three angles in a triangle, in degrees, are x, 7x and x 2 .

What is the size of the largest angle?
A 10° B 18° C 100° D 120° E 121°

Solution C
The sum of the angles in a triangle is 180°. Therefore x + 7x + x 2 = 180. Hence x 2 + 8x − 180 = 0.
By factorizing the left-hand side of this equation, we deduce that (x + 18)(x − 10) = 0.
This implies that either x = 10 or x = −18. Because x° is one of the angles of the triangle, x > 0.
We conclude that x = 10.
It follows that the angles of the triangle are 10°, 70° and 100°. Hence the largest angle is 100°.

For investigation

4.1 The angles of a triangle, in degrees, are x 2 + 9x, x 2 and 9x.

What is the size of the smallest angle?
4.2 The angles of a triangle, in degrees, are x 3 , 14x 2 and 9x, where x is an integer.
Show that this triangle is isosceles.

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

5. When 45 × 54 is correctly calculated, how many digits are there in the answer?
A 4 B 6 C 10 D 16 E 20

Solution B
We have

45 × 54 = (22 )5 × 54 = 210 × 54 = 26 × (24 × 54 ) = 26 × 104 = 64 × 10 000 = 640 000.

Therefore there are 6 digits in the correct answer.

For investigation

5.1 How many digits are there in the answer when the number 83 × 58 is calculated correctly?

6. One face of a solid polyhedron is an octagon.

What is the smallest possible number of edges the solid could have?
A 9 B 10 C 12 D 16 E 24

Solution D
The octagonal face of the polyhedron has 8 edges.
Each vertex of this face must be joined by an edge to a vertex
not in this face. So there must be at least 8 more edges.
Hence the polyhedron has at least 8 + 8 = 16 edges.
If all the vertices of the octagonal face are joined by an edge
to the same vertex, we obtain a pyramid with an octagonal
base that has 16 edges.
Therefore the smallest number of edges that the solid could
have is 16.

For investigation

6.1 Three of the faces of a polyhedron are squares.

What is the smallest number of vertices that this polyhedron could have?

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

7. Which is the largest prime factor of 38 − 1?

A 41 B 37 C 31 D 29 E 23

Solution A
Using the difference of two squares factorization x 2 − y 2 = (x − y)(x + y), we have

38 − 1 = (34 − 1)(34 + 1)
= (32 − 1)(32 + 1)(34 + 1)
= (3 − 1)(3 + 1)(9 + 1))(81 + 1)
= 2 × 4 × 10 × 82
= 2 × 22 × (2 × 5) × (2 × 41)
= 25 × 5 × 41.

Because 41 is a prime, we deduce that the largest prime factor of 38 − 1 is 41.

For investigation

7.1 Find the largest prime factor of the integers

(a) 28 − 1, (b) 216 − 1 and (c) 56 − 1.

8. In the following expressions, x is non-zero. When one of these expressions is removed,

the mean of the remaining four is 11x.
Which expression is removed?
A 4x B 8x C 12x D 16x E 20x

Solution D
Because the mean of the remaining four numbers is 11x, their sum is 4 × 11x, that is, 44x.
The sum of all five of the numbers is 4x + 8x + 12x + 16x + 20x, that is, 60x.
Since 60x − 44x = 16x, the number that is removed is 16x.

For investigation

8.1 In the following expressions, the number x is non-zero: x, 5x, 9x, 13x, 17x. When one
of these expressions is removed, the mean of the remaining four is 8x.
Which expression is removed?
8.2 In the following expressions, the number x is a positive integer: x 2, x, 2x, 3x, 4x. When
one of these expressions is removed, the mean of the remaining four is 4.
(a) Which expression is removed?
(b) What is the value of x?

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

9. A palindromic number is one where the digits read the same forwards as backwards,
such as 123 321.
What is the hundreds digit of the largest six-digit palindromic number that is divisible by
18?
A 9 B 7 C 5 D 3 E 1

Solution E
Let the six-digit palindromic number be ‘pqrrqp’.
For this number to be divisible by 18, it needs to be divisible by 2 and by 9. To be divisible by
2, the digit p must be even. For the number to be as large as possible, p has to be as large as
possible. Therefore we try p = 8. This makes the number ‘8qrrq8’.
A number is divisible by 9 precisely when the sum of its digits is divisible by 9. [See Problem
9.4.] Therefore 2(8 + q + r) needs to be divisible by 9. Hence 8 + q + r needs to be divisible
by 9. Again, we want q to be as large as possible . So we try q = 9. With this choice for q, we
require that 8 + 9 + r is divisible by 9. Therefore 8 + r must be divisible by 9. Hence r = 1.
It follows that the number ‘8qrrq8’ is 891198. Therefore this is the largest six-digit palindromic
number that is divisible by 18. The hundreds digit of this number is 1.

For investigation

9.1 Which is the smallest six-digit palindromic number which is divisible by 18?
9.2 Which are the smallest and largest six-digit palindromic numbers which are divisible by
45?
9.3 Which is the largest seven-digit palindromic number which is divisible by 18?
9.4 In the solution above we have used the fact that
A positive integer is divisible by 9 precisely when the sum of its digits is divisible by 9.

Prove that this is correct.

9.5 One way to answer Problem 9.4 is to prove the following more general fact.

A positive integer and the sum of its digits have the same remainder when divided by 9.

Prove that this is correct.

9.6 The solution also uses the fact that, for every positive integer n,

n is divisible by 18 ⇐⇒ n is divisible by 2 and n is divisible by 9.

Explain why this is correct.

9.7 Is it true that, for every positive integer n,

n is divisible by 24 ⇐⇒ n is divisible by 4 and n is divisible by 6 ?

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

10. The prime factorization of 2024 is 23 × 11 × 23.

How many two-digit numbers are factors of 2024?
A 2 B 4 C 6 D 7 E 8

Solution D
Written in full we have
2024 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 11 × 23.
The factors of 2024 are 1 and the numbers obtained by multiplying together some, or all, of the
numbers that occur in this product.
We see from the factorization that 11 and 23 are two-digit factors of 2024.
Since 11 × 23 = 253 no product which includes both 11 and 23 produces a two-digit factor of
2024. However, we can obtain two-digit factors of 2024 by multiplying 11 or 23 by 2, 22 or 23
provided that the resulting product has two digits.
In this way we obtain the two-digit factors

2 × 11 = 22,
22 × 11 = 44,
23 × 11 = 88,
2 × 23 = 46
and
22 × 23 = 92.

Hence, altogether there are 7 two-digit factors of 2024, namely, 11, 22, 23, 44, 46, 88 and 92.

For investigation

10.1 Find all the three-digit factors of 2024.

10.2 Find all the two-digit factors of 10 000.

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

11. Which one of the following expressions is a square number for each positive integer n?
A n+1 B n(n + 1) + 1
C n(n + 1)(n + 2) + 1 D n(n + 1)(n + 2)(n + 3) + 1
E n(n + 1)(n + 2)(n + 3)(n + 4) + 1

Solution D
When n = 1, we have

n+1=2
n(n + 1) + 1 = 1 × 2 + 1 = 3
n(n + 1)(n + 2) + 1 = 1 × 2 × 3 + 1 = 7
n(n + 1)(n + 2)(n + 3) + 1 = 1 × 2 × 3 × 4 + 1 = 25
and n(n + 1)(n + 2)(n + 3)(n + 4) + 1 = 1 × 2 × 3 × 4 × 5 + 1 = 121.

Of these values, only 25 and 121 are squares. So the correct answer is either D or E. To decide
between these we put n = 2. This gives

n(n + 1)(n + 2)(n + 3) + 1 = 2 × 3 × 4 × 5 + 1 = 121

and n(n + 1)(n + 2)(n + 3)(n + 4) + 1 = 2 × 3 × 4 × 4 × 6 + 1 = 721

of which only 121 is a square.

In the context of the SMC we can now conclude that the correct option is D.

In the SMC you are entitled to assume that just one of the given options is correct. Therefore
the correct answer can be found by eliminating four of the options, as we have done above.
However, this would not be an adequate answer if you were required to give a fully explained
answer.
In this case we can show that all the values of the polynomial n(n + 1)(n + 2)(n + 3) + 1 are
squares, as follows.

n(n + 1)(n + 2)(n + 3) + 1 = n(n + 3)(n + 1)(n + 2) + 1

= (n2 + 3)(n2 + 3n + 2) + 1
= ((n2 + 3n + 1) − 1)((n2 + 3n + 1) + 1) + 1
= (n2 + 3n + 1)2 − 1 + 1
= (n2 + 3n + 1)2,

and hence is always a square.

It is true that, in general, if a polynomial has a value which is a square for each positive
integer n then this polynomial is the square of another polynomial. The proof of this fact is
not straightforward. The above calculation shows the truth of this in one particular case.

For investigation

11.1 Prove that there does not exist a positive integer n for which n(n + 1) + 1 is a square.

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

12. p, q, r and s are two-digit primes which between them use all the non-zero digits except
5.
What is the value of p + q + r + s?
A 220 B 210 C 200 D 190
E more information needed

Solution A
Of the digits 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9, only 1, 3, 7 and 9 can be the units digit of a two-digit prime.
This leaves 2, 4, 6 and 8 as the tens digits of the primes.
Therefore the sum of the units digits of the four primes is 1 + 3 + 7 + 9, which is equal to 20, and
the sum of the tens digits is 2 + 4 + 6 + 8, which is also 20.
Hence the sum of the four primes is 20 × 10 + 20 × 1 = 200 + 20 = 220.

This answer has been obtained without finding the primes p, q, r and s, or indeed even
showing that four primes which use all the non-zero digits except 5, exist. You are asked to
check in Problem 12.1 that a solution does exist.

For investigation

12.1 Find four two-digit primes p, q, r and s which between them use all the non-zero digits
except 5.
12.2 How many different sets are there of four two-digit primes which between them use all the
digits except 5?
12.3 Find one three-digit prime and three two-digit primes which between them include all the
non-zero digits.
12.4 Find two three-digit primes and two two-digit primes which between them use all the ten
digits, including 0.

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

13. The diagram shows a partially completed number pyramid.

When correctly completed, the number on any brick above the 2024
bottom row should be the sum of the two numbers on the two
bricks on which it rests. 𝑧
What number should appear on the brick marked ‘z’? 1 10
A 176 B 617 C 671 D 716 E 761

Solution C
We let the numbers that are in
the second and third boxes in
the bottom row be x and y.
Then the remaining numbers are
as shown in the diagram on the
right.

Then z = x + y and 11 + 3x + 3y = 2024.

It follows from the second of these equations that 3x + 3y = 2013. Hence x + y = 2013 ÷ 3 = 671.
Hence z = 671.

For investigation

13.1 Suppose that the numbers in the bottom row of the number pyramid are w, x, y and z,
from left to right. What number is in top box? What do you notice?
13.2 The diagram on the right shows
a partially completed number
pyramid.
When correctly completed, the
number on any brick above the
bottom row should be the sum
of the two numbers on the two
bricks on which it rests.
Which number should appear on the bricked marked with an x ?
13.3 Suppose you are given the partially completed number pyramid as shown in the diagram
of Problem 13.2. In this diagram you are given the numbers on four of the bricks.
What is the smallest number of additional bricks on which you would need to know the
number in order to work out which number should be on each of the bricks?

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

14. P, Q, R, S and T are the digits 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in some order. ‘PRT’ and ‘QRS’ are both
three-digit primes.
Which digit is R?
A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4 E 5

Solution B
Of the available digits, only 1 and 3 can be the units digit of a three-digit prime. Without loss of
generality we can assume that S is 1 and T is 3.
This leaves 2, 4 and 5 for the values of P, Q and R.
Suppose that R were 4. This would leave 2 and 5 for the values of P and
Q.
Hence ‘QRS’ and ‘PRT’ would either be 241 and 543, or 541 and 243.
Neither of these is possible, as both 543 and 243 are divisible by 3, and
hence they are not primes. So R cannot be 4.

Suppose next that R were 5. This would leave 2 and 4 for the values
of P and Q. Hence ‘QRS’ and ‘PRT’ would either be 251 and 453, or
451 and 253.
Neither of these is possible, as 453 is divisible by 3, and 253 is divisible
by 11 and hence they are not primes. So R cannot be 5.
In the context of the SMC we can conclude that R is 2. [In Problem
14.1 you are asked to check that this is possible.]

For investigation

14.1 Show that when R is 2, the digits P, Q, S and T may be chosen

to be 1, 3, 4 and 5 in some order, so that both ‘QRS’ and ‘PRT’
are primes.

14.2 In how many way can P, Q, R, S and T be chosen to be the digits 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 in some
order so that ‘PRT’ and ‘QRS’ are both three-digit primes?
14.3 In how many way can P, Q, R, S and T be chosen to be the digits 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 in some
order so that ‘PRT’ and ‘QRS’ are both three-digit primes?

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

15. The diagram shows two squares, JK L M and NK PO. 𝐽 𝑀

The length of N L is 10 cm. The shaded region has area 62 cm2 .
What is the length of K N in cm? 𝑂
√ √ √ 𝑁
A 3 B 18 C 19 D 22 E 5
𝐾 𝑃 𝐿

Solution C
Suppose that the side length of the square JK L M is x cm and the side length of the square
NK PO is y cm.
The area of the shaded region is the area of JK L M minus the area of NK PO. Therefore

x 2 − y 2 = 62. (1)

Also, by Pythagoras’ Theorem K L 2 + NK 2 = N L 2 . That is,

x 2 + y 2 = 102 . (2)

By subtracting equation (1) from equation (2), we obtain

2y 2 = 102 − 62 = 100 − 62 = 38.

√
Therefore y 2 = 19. Hence y = 19.

For investigation

15.1 JK L M and K PON are squares.

The square JK L M has area 289 cm2 .
JO has length 13 cm.
What are the possibilities for the area of the square K PON?

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

16. A set of cupboards containing eight identical blue doors is

arranged in a 2 by 4 grid as shown. A fussy decorator wishes
to paint three of the doors red such that at least one door in
each row is painted red and at least two of the four corners
are painted red.
How many ways are there to do this?
A 12 B 24 C 36 D 40 E 56

Solution B
To solve this problem we need to count the number of ways of painting
the doors systematically so that each possible arrangement is counted
once, and once only.
We label the doors with the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H, as
shown in the diagram on the right, so that we can refer to them.

We know that at least two of the doors A, D, E and H must be painted red. We list the possible
cases according to which is the first of these doors that is painted red.
The first row of the diagrams below covers the cases where door A is painted red. Diagram 1
deals with the cases where door D is also red. The third red door must be in the second row.
Hence there are four doors which could be the third red door. These are numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4
in the diagram. Diagram 2 deals with the cases where door A is red, door D is not red, but door
E is red. In this case there is already a red door in each row. Hence there are five possibilities for
the third red door, numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 in the diagram.
We leave it to the reader to check that all the remaining possibilities are covered in a similar way
in diagrams 3 to 6, and that no case is counted twice.

We can calculate the number of possible cases by adding up the numbers corresponding to the
six diagrams. Hence there are 4 + 5 + 4 + 5 + 4 + 2 = 24 ways to paint the doors so as to meet
the required conditions.

For investigation

16.1 Check that diagrams 1 to 6 cover all of the possible cases once each.
16.2 How many ways are there to paint four of the doors red, so that there is at least one red
door in each row, and at least two of the four corner doors are red?

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

17. A bag contains four balls each of which is coloured either red or white. If one ball
is drawn at random from the bag but not replaced and then a second ball is drawn at
random, the probability that both balls are red is 12 .
What is the probability that both balls are white?
1 1 1 1
A 2 B 3 C 4 D 6 E 0

Solution E
Suppose that r of the four balls are red. There are r ways to choose a red ball first, and this leaves
r − 1 ways to choose a second red ball. So there are are r × (r − 1) ways in which both balls are
red.
With 4 balls in the bag there are 4 × 3 = 12 ways to choose first one of the four balls and then one
of the three of the remaining balls.
Since the probability that both balls are red is 21 ,
r(r − 1) 1
= .
12 2
Hence
r(r − 1) = 6.
Therefore
r 2 − r − 6 = 0.
That is,
(r − 3)(r + 2) = 0.
Hence r = 3 or r = −2. Since r ≥ 0, we conclude that r = 3.
It follows that there is just one white ball in the bag. Hence the probability that both balls are
white is 0.

For investigation

17.1 The following argument is taken from Lewis Carroll’s Pillow Problems (1893).
Problem: Suppose a bag contains two counters each of which is red or white with equal
probability. Ascertain their colours without taking them out of the bag.
Answer: One counter is white and the other is red.
Full solution: The chances that the counters in the given bag are (a) two white, (b) one
white and one red and (c) two red are, respectively, 41 , 12 and 14 .
Add a red counter. Then the chances that the counters in the bag are now (a) two white
and one red, (b) one white and two red and (c) three red are 14 , 12 and 14 , as before.
Hence the chance of now drawing a red counter from the bag is 14 × 31 + 21 × 32 + 41 × 1 =
1 1 1 2
12 + 3 + 4 = 3 . Hence the bag must now contain one white and two red counters since
with any other combination the chance of drawing a red counter would not be 23 .
Hence before the red counter was added the bag contained one white counter and one red
counter.
Is this argument correct?

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

18. The diagram shows two concentric circles divided by radial

lines into 14 pieces of equal area. The radius of the smaller
circle is 1.
1 𝑥
What is the length, x, of an outer radial line?
√
√ √ 14
A 14 − 1 B 14 − 2 C −1
√ √ 2
14 14 − 1
D −2 E
2 2

Solution C
The outer circle has radius 1 + x. Hence its area is π(1 + x)2 .
The inner circle has radius 1, and hence has area π(12 ) = π. Hence each of the four inner pieces
π
has area .
4
Because all the 14 pieces have the same area, the area of the outer circle is 14 times the area of
one of the inner pieces. Therefore
 
2 π
π(1 + x) = 14 .
4

This simplifies to give

14
(1 + x)2 = .
4
Hence, as 1 + x > 0, r √
14 14
1+x = = .
4 2
We conclude that √
14
x= − 1.
2

For investigation

18.1 The diagram on the right shows two concentric circles

divided by radial lines into 20 pieces of equal area.
The inner circle has radius r.
The outer circle has radius s.
Find the ratio r : s.

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

19. Five friends are dealt two cards each from a set of twelve cards. The cards are numbered
1 to 12 inclusive. In turn, the friends declare the sum of the values of their two cards.
Paolo scores 4, Quinn scores 11. Romy scores 16. Stephen scores 19 and Thomas scores
20.
Which of the following statements is true?
A Paolo has card 2 B Quinn has card 3 C Romy has card 5
D Stephen has card 7 E Thomas has card 11

Solution C
The numbers on the cards are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Since Paolo scored 4, he must have been dealt cards 1 and 3. It follows that both the statements
A and B are false.
Because Paolo has cards 1 and 3, cards 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are left for Quinn, Romy,
Stephen and Thomas.
We now consider the possibility that statement C is true. In this case Romy’s cards must be 5 and
11. This leaves cards 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 as possible cards held by Quinn, Stephen and
Thomas.
Since Thomas scores 20 his cards must be 8 and 12. Then, as Stephen scores 19, his cards must
be 9 and 10. This leaves 2, 4, 6 and 7. So Quinn’s cards are 4 and 7.
We have therefore shown that it is possible for statement C to be true.

In the context of the SMC we can stop here. We can assume that only one of the statements
could be true. So having shown that C could be true, we can conclude that C is the correct
option.
For a complete answer it would be necessary to check that statements D and E cannot be true.
You are asked to do this Problem 19.1.

For investigation

19.1 Determine which cards each of the five friends were dealt.
Hence, show that statements D and E are not true.

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

1 1 1
20. Let x and y be positive integers such that + = . What is the maximum possible
x y 20
value of y?
A 40 B 60 C 240 D 420 E 480

Solution D
1
The maximum possible value of y corresponds to the minimum possible value of .
y
1 1 1 1
Since + = , the minimum possible value of corresponds to the maximum possible
x y 20 y
1
value of , and hence to the minimum possible value of x.
x
1 1 1 1
Now = − < because y > 0. Therefore x > 20.
x 20 y 20
Since x is a positive integer, it follows that the minimum possible value of x is 21.
1 1 1 21 − 20 1
When x = 21, we have = − = = and hence y = 420.
y 20 21 20 × 21 420
Therefore the maximum possible value of y is 420.

For investigation
1 1 1
20.1 (a) Rearrange the equation + = to express y in terms of x.
x y 20
(b) Use this rearranged equation to show that the maximum possible value of y is 420.
1 1 1
20.2 Let x and y be positive integers such that + = .
x y 25
What is the maximum possible value of y?
1 1 1
20.3 Let x, y and z be positive integers such that + = .
x y z
In terms of z, what is the maximum possible value of y?
1 1 1
20.4 Find all the the solutions of the equation + = , where x and y are positive integers
x y 20
with x < y.
1 1 1
20.5 Find all the solutions of the equation + + = 1, where x, y and z are positive integers
x y z
with x < y < z.
1 1 1 1
20.6 Find all the solutions of the equation + + = , where x, y and z are positive integers
x y z 2
with x < y < z.

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

21. Across Down 1 2

1. A multiple of 9 1. A multiple of 11
3. A square 2. A multiple of 13 and of 19
3

The crossnumber is to be filled with eight of the digits 1 to 9, which are each used once.
Which digit is not used?
A 9 B 8 C 5 D 3 E 2

Solution B
We begin with 2 Down because it looks as though there are fewer possible answers for this clue
than for the other clues.
13 and 19 have no factors in common (other than 1). Hence a multiple of 13 and 19 is also a
multiple of 13 × 19. That is, it is a multiple of 247.
The three-digit multiples of 247 are 247, 494, 741 and 988. 2 Down is not 247, because then 3
Across would have 7 as its units digit which is not possible for a square. 2 Down is neither 494
nor 988 because these numbers contain repeated digits. We may therefore deduce that 2 Down is
741.
It follows that 3 Across is a three-digit square with units digit 1. So the possibilities for 3 Across
are 112 = 121, 192 = 361, 212 = 441, 292 = 841 and 312 = 961.
We can rule out 121 and 441 because they have a repeated digit, and 841 because the digit 4 has
already been used in 2 Down. This leaves 361 and 961 as possible values for 3 Across.
Suppose 3 Across is 361. Then the digits 2, 5, 8 and 9 have not yet been used.
For 1 Across to be a multiple of 9 its digits must add up to a multiple of 9. The units digit of 1
Across is 7, and its other digits are two of 2, 4, 8 and 9. The only possibilities are that the digits
of 1 Across add up to 18, and that 1 Across is either 297 or 927.
Suppose 1 Across is 297. Then 1 Down is 2x3 where x is either 5 or 8.
Now 253 = 11 × 23 and hence is a multiple of 11. Therefore we can
complete the crossnumber as shown on the right.
In this completed crossnumber the digit that is not used is 8.

In the context of the SMC where we are entitled to assume that just one of the given options
is correct, we can stop here now that we have found one solution. For a complete solution we
would need to show that there is no other solution. You are asked to do this in Problem 21.1

For investigation

21.1 Show that the solution given above is the only solution of the crossnumber.

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

22. As shown in the diagram, triangle FGH is divided 𝐹

into four smaller triangles which have areas 4, 8, 12
𝐽
and 8 respectively. 4
𝐾 8
What is the area of triangle IK H? 𝐼
12 8
A 4 B 5 C 6 D 7 E 8 𝐻
𝐺

Solution A
In this question we use the fact that if M is a point on the
side QR of the triangle PQR, we have
area M PQ MQ
= . (1)
area M PR MR
[You are asked to prove this in Problem 22.1.]

From the diagram in the question we have

area IGF 12 + 8 + 4 24
= = = 3. (2)
area IGH 8 8
It follows from (1) and (2) that
IF
= 3. (3)
IH
Therefore, by (1) and (3),
area IK F
= 3.
area IK H
Hence

area IK H = 13 (area IK F) = 13 (4 + 8) = 13 (12) = 4.

For investigation

22.1 Prove that equation (1) is correct.

22.2 Find the area of the triangle I JH.

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

23. The plane can be tiled using the ’hat tile’ shown here. This
tile can be subdivided
√ into eight congruent kites. The area of
the tile is 8 3.
What is the perimeter of the hat tile?
√ √ √
A 8 + 12 3 B 16 + 6 3 C 8+8 3
√ √
D 6+8 3 E 8+6 3

Solution E
Since four congruent kites meet at the point P,
the angles in the kites at P are each equal to
90°. Since three congruent kites meet at Q, the
angles at Q are each 120°.
It follows that the longer diagonal of each kite
divides it into two triangles in which two of the
angles are 90° and 60° as shown in the second
diagram.
We let the lengths of the perpendicular edges
of these triangles be x and y, as shown.

It follows that the area of each triangle is 12 x y. Hence the area of each kite is
2 × 12 xy = x y.
√ √
Now y = x tan 60° = 3x. So xy = 3x 2 .
√ √
Since
√ 2 √ the area of the hat tile is 8 3, the area of each kite is 3 Hence
√
3x = 3. Therefore, as x > 0, we deduce that x = 1 and hence y = 3.
√
From the first diagram, we see that the perimeter of the hat tile is 8x + 6y, that is, 8 + 6 3.

In 1974 Roger Penrose gave an example of a set of six tiles which could be used to cover
an infinite plane aperiodically, that is, without a repeating pattern. Subsequently Penrose
showed that there was a set of two tiles with the same property.
The question of whether there was a single tile which could be used to tile the plane
aperiodically remained open for a long time until in November 2022, David Smith, an amateur
mathematician from Bridlington in Yorkshire, discovered the hat-tile. He invoked the help
of the mathematicians Craig S. Kaplan, Joseph Myers, and Chaim Goodman-Strauss. They
were able to prove that the hat-tile can be used to form an aperiodic tiling of the plane. They
also showed that the hat-tile can be generalized to an infinite family of tiles with the same
aperiodic property.
Joseph Myers is a long-standing UKMT volunteer. He was a member of the UK team for the
International Mathematical Olympiad in 1994 and 1995. He is currently a member of the
UKMT committee which oversees the British Mathematical Olympiad.

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

 
1
24. A function f satisfies the equation f (x) + f = 24x for all real values of x except
1−x
x = 0 and x = 1.
What is the value of f (3)?
A 40 B 42 C 45 D 48 E 50

Solution E

In a question of this type, it is not easy to see which path will lead to a solution.
 
1
All we can do is to substitute values of x in the equation f (x) + f = 24x.
1−x
Since we are asked for the value of f (3), we begin by putting x = 3. This brings in the value
of f (− 21 ), so we next put x = − 21 . Now f ( 23 ) appears. It looks as this might go on indefinitely,
but when we put x = 32 we have an "AHA" moment.

We put x = 3 in the equation

 
1
f (x) + f = 24x. (1)
1−x
given in the question.
This gives
f (3) + f (− 12 ) = 72. (2)
Next, putting x = − 12 in equation (1), we obtain
f (− 21 ) + f ( 23 ) = −12. (3)
Now, putting x = 32 , we have
f ( 23 ) + f (3) = 16. (4)
By adding equations (2) and (4) we deduce that
2 f (3) + f (− 21 ) + f ( 23 ) = 88. (5)
Hence, from equation (3),
2 f (3) − 12 = 88.
Therefore
2 f (3) = 100.
We conclude that
f (3) = 50.

For investigation

24.1 What is the value of f (4)?

24.2 (a) Find a general formula for f (x), for x , 0, 1, in terms of x.
(b) Check that your formula produces the correct values for f (3) and f (4).

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Senior Mathematical Challenge 2024 Solutions and investigations

25. Three semicircles, each of area 24, overlap as shown

in the diagram. The centres of the arcs are X, Y and
Z and ∠Z XY = 30°.
What is the total area of the shaded regions? 𝑍
√ 30°
A 12 B 6 3 C 15 D 18
√ 𝑋 𝑌
E 8 3

Solution A
We let P, Q, R, and S be the areas of the regions
as shown in the diagram on the right.
Because 30° is one-sixth of 180°, P is one-sixth
of the area of the semicircle with centre X.
1
Therefore P = 6 × 24 = 4.

In the two shapes shown in the diagram on the right

XY = X Z because they are radii of the same circle,
and the other edges are arcs of circles of the same
radius with centres X and Y , and X and Z, respectively.
Therefore these shapes are congruent.
It follows that P + Q = R + Q.
Hence R = P = 4.
We let V, W and K be the points shown in the
diagram on the right.
Because the semicircles have the same area, they
have the same radius. Hence W X = XY = YW.
It follows that W XY is an equilateral triangle,
Hence ∠WY X = 60°.
Also, we have XY = VY . Therefore ∠XVY =
∠Y XV = 30°. Hence, from the triangle V XY
we have ∠VYW = 180° − 30° − 30° − 60° = 60°.

It follows that the isosceles triangle WYV is equilateral. Hence WV = WY .

These are chords of the same length in circles of the same radius. Therefore they cut off segments
of equal area. Let this area be σ. Since WV = VY = Y X = XW, it follows that VW XY is a
rhombus which is divided by the diagonals XV and WY into four congruent triangles, W KY ,
W KV, Y K X and Y KV. Let τ be the common area of these triangles.
We have P + Q = 2σ + 2τ = Q + S. It follows that S = P = 4. We conclude that the shaded area is
P + R + S = 4 + 4 + 4 = 12.

© UKMT October 2024 www.ukmt.org.uk 22