Logical Thinking

1. Convert quaternary number 1231231234 to hexadecimal.

Answer: 1B6DB or 1B6DB16
Solution. Quaternary is the base-4 numeral system. It uses the digits 0, 1, 2 and 3 to
represent any real number. While hexadecimal is a positional system that represents
numbers using a base of 16. It uses numbers 0-9 and letters A-F . Now,

1231231234 = 1 · 48 + 2 · 47 + 3 · 46 + 1 · 45 + 2 · 44 + 3 · 43 + 1 · 42 + 2 · 41 + 3 · 40
= 65536 + 32768 + 12288 + 1024 + 512 + 192 + 16 + 8 + 3
= 11234710

Now, to convert decimal to hexadecimal,

112347 ÷ 16 = 7021 with remainder 11 =⇒ B

7021 ÷ 16 = 438 with remainder 13 =⇒ D
438 ÷ 16 = 27 with remainder 6 =⇒ 6
27 ÷ 16 = 1 with remainder 11 =⇒ B
1 ÷ 16 = 0 with remainder 1 =⇒ 1

Then we just write down the remainders in the reverse order to obtain the hexadecimal
number which is 1B6DB or 1B6DB16 .
√
2. Hakan goes northwest for 15 2 km, then goes 8 km west, goes 3 km south, goes 26 km
√
east and goes southeast for 7 2 km. How far is he now from his original position?
√
Answer: 5 5 km

VTAMPS 13.0 Senior Secondary Set 3

 Solution. Following his route, it can be observed that his current distance from his original
position is
p √ √
d= (15 − 3 − 7)2 + (−15 − 8 + 26 + 7)2 = 52 + 102 = 5 5 km.

3. Bonifacio Day is celebrated annually on the 30th of November in the Philippines. This
year, November 30 is Thursday. Which day of the week will the Bonifacio Day on 2060
be?
Answer: Tuesday
Solution. A normal year has 365 days while a leap year has 366 days. There are 27
normal years and 10 leap years from 2023 to 2075. Observe that 365 mod 7 ≡ 1 mod 7
and 366 mod 7 ≡ 2 mod 7. Thus,

(27 · 1 + 10 · 2) mod 7 ≡ 47 mod 7 ≡ 5 mod 7.

Since the remainder is 5, the Bonifacio Day on 2060 must be five days after Thursday,
which is Tuesday.

4. Find the unit digit of |2027 × 2027{z× · · · × 2027} × 2032

| × 2032{z× · · · × 2032} .
2023 2027’s 2024 2032’s
Answer: 8
Solution. Observe that two factor groups can be written as 20272023 and 20322024 , respec-
tively. The possible unit digit of 20272023 are 7, 9, 3, and 1 while the possible unit digit
of 20322024 are 2, 4, 8, and 6. Observe that 2023 mod 4 ≡ 3 mod 4 and 2024 mod 4 ≡
0 mod 4. Hence, the units digit of 20272023 is 3 and the units digit of 20322024 is 6.
Therefore, the units digit of 2027
| × 2027{z× · · · × 2027} × 2032
| × 2032{z× · · · × 2032} is 8.
2023 2027’s 2024 2032’s

5. Find the average of the sequence

189, 120, 97, 304, 143, 212 . . . , 2075, 1937, 2121, 1983, 1960, 2098.

Answer: 1109
Solution. Arranging the terms in the sequence will give an arithmetic sequence with
common difference 23. Hence, the average a of the finite sequence is given by

1 1
a = (a1 + an ) = (97 + 2121) = 1109.
2 2

VTAMPS 13.0 Senior Secondary Set 3

 Algebra

6. Find the value of 7a + 7b + 7c + 7d + 7e in the system of equations




 3a + 15b + 13c + 19d + 4e = 179

4a − 16b − 14c − 18d + 3e = 630





3a + 17b + 17c + 17d + 3e = 292


4a − 18b − 18c − 16d + 3e = 404






 3a + 19b + 19c + 15d + 4e = 518

Answer: 833
Solution. If we add all the five equations, we obtain

17a + 17b + 17c + 17d + 17e = 2023

a + b + c + d + e = 119
7(a + b + c + d + e) = 7(119)
7a + 7b + 7c + 7d + 7e = 833.

√
7. Given a and b are the roots of x2 + 13x − 33, find the value of a4 + b4 .
Answer: 4063
√ √
Solution. If a and b are the roots of x2 + 13x − 33, then a + b = − 13 and ab = −33.
Now,

(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2
a2 + b2 = (a + b)2 − 2ab
√
a2 + b2 = (− 13)2 − 2(−33)
a2 + b2 = 79

Also, observe that

(a2 + b2 )2 = a4 + 2a2 b2 + b4
a4 + b4 = (a2 + b2 )2 − 2(ab)2
a4 + b4 = 792 − 2(−33)2
a4 + b4 = 6241 − 2178
a4 + b4 = 4063.

VTAMPS 13.0 Senior Secondary Set 3

8. Factor 4(x + 7)(x + 16)(x + 8)(x + 14) − 3x2 completely.
Answer: (2x2 + 47x + 224)(2x2 + 43x + 224)
Solution. We rewrite the expression as 4(x + 7)(x + 16)(x + 8)(x + 14) − 3x2 . Note that

(x + 7)(x + 16) = x2 + 23x + 112 and (x + 8)(x + 14) = x2 + 22x + 112.

We let y = x2 + 23x + 112 and so, y − x = x2 + 22x + 112. Now,

4(x + 7)(x + 16)(x + 8)(x + 14) − 3x2 = 4y(y − x) − 3x2

= 4y 2 − 4xy − 3x2
= (2y + x)(2y − 3x)
= [2(x2 + 23x + 112) + x][2(x2 + 23x + 112) − 3x]
= (2x2 + 47x + 224)(2x2 + 43x + 224).

Therefore, 4(x + 7)(x + 16)(x + 8)(x + 14) − 3x2 = (2x2 + 47x + 224)(2x2 + 43x + 224).
√ √
3
9. Find the value of x if log2 x2 log2 2 10
= 2log2 15 + log2 x3 log2 5
.
Answer: 32
Solution. Using the properties of logarithms, we have
√ √
3
log2 x2 log2 2 10
= 2log2 15 + log2 x3 log2 5

log2 xlog2 40 = 15 + log2 xlog2 5

(log2 40)(log2 x) = 15 + (log2 5)(log2 x)
log2 x(log2 40 − log2 5) = 15
log2 x(log2 8) = 15
3 log2 x = 15
log2 x = 5
x = 25
x = 32

VTAMPS 13.0 Senior Secondary Set 3

10. It is known that x is rational, x > 0, and
s r
√
q
x= 2023 + 2022 2023 + 2022 2023 + 2022 · · ·.

r
2023 x2023 + 2023x
Find the value of .
2
Answer: 2023
Solution. Observe that squaring the given above, we have

x2 = 2023 + 2022x =⇒ x2 − 2022x − 2023 = 0 =⇒ (x − 2023)(x + 1) = 0.

Therefore, at x = 2023, we have

r r
2023 x2023 + 2023x 202320232023 + 20232023
=
2 r 2
2023
2023 2 · 2023
=
√ 2
2023
= 2023 2023

= 2023.

VTAMPS 13.0 Senior Secondary Set 3

 Number Theory

11. Let x > 0 be a 5-digit number and

(
x ≡ 17 mod 23
x ≡ 17 mod 29

Find the maximum value of x.

Answer: 99400
Solution. Since all of the moduli are relatively prime, we know that by the Chinese
Remainder Theorem that this system of linear congruences has a solution modulo the
product of the moduli, 23 × 29 = 667. We need to find the maximum 5-digit number
x with remainder 17 at modulo 667. Observe that the largest 5-digit number which is
a multiple of 667 is 99383 = 149(667). Therefore, the maximum value of x must be
99383 + 17 = 99400.
2 32
12. Given a real number x > 0 and x + = 4. Find the value of x5 + 5 .
x x
Answer: 464
2
Solution. Since x + = 4. Then
x

2  3
2

2 x+ = 43
x+ = 42 x
x  
4 3 2 8
x2 + 4 + 2 = 16 x +6 x+ + 3 = 64
x x x
4 8
x2 + 2 = 12 x3 + 3 = 40
x x

Observe that
  
2 4 8 8 32
x + 2 x + 3 = x5 + 4x + + 5
3
x x x x
 
5 32 2
12 · 40 = x + 5 + 4 x +
x x
32
480 = x5 + 5 + 4(4)
x
32
464 = x5 + 5 .
x

VTAMPS 13.0 Senior Secondary Set 3

13. Yesterday was Friday. Which day of the week will it be after 20212023 days?
Answer: Thursday
Solution. Note that

20212023 mod 7 ≡ (−2)2023 mod 7

≡ −22023 mod 7
≡ −23·674+1 mod 7
≡ −(23 )674 · 2 mod 7
≡ −8674 · 2 mod 7
≡ −1674 · 2 mod 7
≡ −2 mod 7
≡ 5 mod 7.

Since the remainder is 5, we count 5 days after Saturday and that is Thursday.

14. Find the largest 8-digit number that has exactly 3 positive factors.
Answer: 99460729
Solution. If a number N has exactly 3 factors, it means N is the square of a prime
number p. That is, the factors of N are 1, p and p2 . Observe that 100000000 = 100002 is
the least 9-digit number and 10000 is not prime. Moreover, we need to find the largest
4-digit prime number less than 10000. By inspections, 9973 is such number. Therefore,
the largest 8-digit number that has exactly 3 factors is 99732 = 99460729.

15. Let p be a prime number and 2021p + 2025 is a perfect square number. Find the smallest
possible value of p.
Answer: 1931
Solution. Since 2021p + 2025 is a perfect square number, we have

2021p + 2025 = x2
2021p = x2 − 2025
2021p = (x + 45)(x − 45)

If x + 45 = 2021, then x = 1976 giving p = x − 45 = 1976 − 45 = 1931. On the other

hand, if x − 45 = 2021, then x = 2066 giving p = x + 45 = 2066 + 45 = 2111. Since both
1931 and 2111 are prime numbers, the smallest value of p must be 1931.

VTAMPS 13.0 Senior Secondary Set 3

 Geometry

sin x cos x 1 sin 2x cos 2y

16. If = 3 and = , find + .
sin y cos y 2 sin 2y cos 2x
1
Answer: −
38
Solution. Observe that

sin x
=3 =⇒ sin2 x = 9 sin2 y =⇒ 4 sin2 x = 36 sin2 y
sin y
cos x 1
= =⇒ 2 cos x = cos y =⇒ 4 cos2 x = cos2 y
cos y 2

Using some trigonometric identities and the above implications, we have

4 = 4 sin2 x + 4 cos2 x
4 = 36 sin2 y + cos2 y
4 = 36 sin2 y + (1 − sin2 y)
3 = 35 sin2 y

3 32 27
Hence, sin2 y = . Similarly, using the same manner, we get cos2 y = , sin2 x = ,
35 35 35
8
and cos2 x = . Using these values, we have
35

sin 2x cos 2x 2 sin x cos x cos2 y − sin2 y

+ = +
sin 2y cos 2y 2 sin y cos y cos2 x − sin2 x
sin x cos x cos2 y − sin2 y
= · +
sin y cos y cos2 x − sin2 x
32 3
1 −
= 3 · + 35 35
2 8 27
−
35 35
3 29
= −
2 19
sin 2x cos 2x 1
+ =−
sin 2y cos 2y 38

17. If a straight line L passes through A(−14, −30) and is perpendicular to the line 7x+17y =
2023, find the x-intercept of L.
28
Answer: −
17
Solution. Let y = mx + b be the equation of the straight line L where m is its slope. Since
7
line L is perpendicular to the line 7x + 17y = 2023 with slope equal to − , therefore,
17

VTAMPS 13.0 Senior Secondary Set 3

 17
the slope of line L is . Line L passes through A(−14, −30), thus
7

y = mx + b
17
−30 = (−14) + b
7
b=4

Therefore, the x-intercept of L, given at y = 0, is

y = mx + b
17
0= x+4
7
17
x = −4
7
28
x=− .
17

18. An interior angle of an n-sided regular polygon is (18n + 12)◦ . Find the maximum value
of n.
Answer: 6
Solution. Recall that the sum of the interior angles of an n-sided polygon is 180(n − 2)◦ .
If each of the interior angle measures (18n + 12)◦ , then

180(n − 2) = n(18n + 12)

30(n − 2) = n(3n + 2)
30n − 60 = 3n2 + 2n
3n2 − 28n + 60 = 0
(3n − 10)(n − 6) = 0

Since n must be a positive integer, therefore, the maximum value of n is 6.

√
19. If the area of a triangle with side lengths 30, 20, and 24 is a × b × c × d and a ̸= b ̸=
a+b+c+d
c ̸= d ̸= 1, find the value of .
abcd
2
Answer:
1547
Solution. Using the Heron’s Formula with semiperimeter

30 + 20 + 24 74
s= = = 37
2 2

VTAMPS 13.0 Senior Secondary Set 3

 we have
√ p √
a×b×c×d= 37(37 − 30)(37 − 20)(37 − 24) = 37 · 7 · 17 · 13.

Since the radicand is a product of relatively prime numbers, without loss of generality we
may have a = 37, b = 7, c = 17, and d = 13 so that

a+b+c+d 37 + 7 + 17 + 13 74 2
= = = .
abcd 37 · 7 · 17 · 13 57239 1547

20. In a right-angled triangle ∆ABC, ∠B = 90◦ , D is the midpoint of BC, and E is a point
on AC such that DE bisects ∠ADC. If DE = DC = 1, find the length of AD.
√
Answer: 2 + 5
Solution. Consider the figure below.

√ √
Let AD = x. Then AB = AD2 − BD2 = x2 − 1 and
√ p √
AC = AB 2 + BC 2 = (x2 − 1) + 22 = x2 + 3.

By the Angle Bisector Theorem, we have

√
AE AD x x x2 + 3
= = =x =⇒ AE = x · CE =⇒ AE = .
CE CD 1 x+1

Consider the circle O with BC as diameter. Since DB = DC = DE, O has center D and
passes through E. Furthermore, AB is tangent to O since ∠ABD = 90◦ . By the Power
x(x2 + 3)
Chord Theorem, we have AB 2 = AE × AC which implies that x2 − 1 = . This
√ x+1
simplifies to x2 − 4x − 1 = 0 and the only positive solution is x = 2 + 5.

VTAMPS 13.0 Senior Secondary Set 3

 Combinatorics

21. Find the number of positive integer(s) x such that x2 < 14x + 851.
Answer: 36
Solution. Rearranging the given inequality, we have

x2 < 14x + 851 =⇒ x2 − 14x − 851 < 0 =⇒ (x + 23)(x − 37) < 0.

Here, we consider two cases:

Case 1: x + 23 > 0 and x − 37 < 0 =⇒ x > −23 and x < 37 =⇒ Solution: (−23, 37)
Case 2: x + 23 < 0 and x − 37 > 0 =⇒ x < −7 and x > 19 =⇒ Solution: ∅
Hence, the solutions for the inequality lie in (−23, 37). However, there are only 36 positive
integers in this interval. Thus, the number of integral solution for the inequality is 36.

22. It is known that r, h, y, m, and e are integers and all of them are greater than 6. Find the
number of solution sets of r + h + y + m + e ≤ 45.
Answer: 3003
Solution. Let r, h, y, m, and e be positive integers with r, h, y, m, e > 6. Hence, we have
r + h + y + m + e ≤ 15. We consider two cases:
Case 1: r + h + y + m + e < 15
Using the stars and bars formula where n = 15 and k be the number of variables, the
number of sets of integral solution for r + h + y + m + e < 15 is given by

n−1 Ck = 14 C5 = 2002.

Case 2: r + h + y + m + e = 15
Using the same formula where n = 15 and k be the number of variables, the number of
sets of integral solution for r + h + y + m + e = 15 is given by

n−1 Ck−1 = 14 C4 = 1001.

Summing up the two cases, the number of sets of integral solution for r+h+y+m+e ≤ 45
where r, h, y, m, e > 6 is

14 C5 +14 C4 = 2002 + 1001 = 3003.

VTAMPS 13.0 Senior Secondary Set 3

23. Find the number of positive integral solution(s) of the linear equation 17x + 58y = 2023.
Answer: 2
Solution. Using the stars and bar formula, the number of positive integral solutions of
x + y = 2023 is C12022 = 2022. However, the given is 17x + 58y = 2023. Hence, the number
of integral solution is given by
 
2022
≈ ⌊2.0507⌋ = 2.
17 · 58

24. A fair 6-face dice is thrown 3 times. Find the probability that the sum of numbers
obtained is a multiple of 5?
43
Answer:
216
Solution. The total number of possible outcomes in throwing a fair 6-faced dice 3 times
is 63 = 216. Observe that for the sum to be a multiple of 5, the sum must be 5, 10, or
15. Now,

sum of 5 : (1, 1, 3), (2, 2, 1)

sum of 10 : (6, 3, 1), (6, 2, 2), (5, 3, 2), (4, 4, 2), (4, 3, 3), (1, 4, 5)
sum of 15 : (6, 6, 3), (6, 5, 4), (5, 5, 5).

Hence,

3+3 6
P (sum of 5) = =
216 216
6+3+6+3+3+6 27
P (sum of 10) = =
216 216
3+6+1 10
P (sum of 15) = =
216 216

Therefore, the probability that the sum of numbers obtained is a multiple of 5 is

6 27 10 43
P (multiple of 5) = + + = .
216 216 216 216

25. There are 10 pairs of couples. If we pick 6 people from them, how many way(s) is/are
there to include exactly 1 pair of couple among the 8 people?
Answer: 20160
Solution. We start by choosing 1 pair of couple from which both people are selected and
10
there are ways of doing that. Then we pick the 4 couples from which only 1 person
1  
9
is selected from the remaining 9 couples. There are ways of doing that. For each
4

VTAMPS 13.0 Senior Secondary Set 3

of those 4 couples we need to select which of the 4 people were chosen and there are 21

ways to do that for each. Therefore, the number of ways to select exactly 1 couple are is
     4
10 9 2
× × = 10 × 126 × 24 = 20160.
1 4 1

VTAMPS 13.0 Senior Secondary Set 3