2020 AMC 8
Complete problem set with solutions and individual problem pages
A scientist walking through a forest recorded as integers the heights of trees standing in a row. She observed that each tree was either twice as tall or half as tall as the one to its right. Unfortunately some of her data was lost when rain fell on her notebook. Her notes are shown below, with blanks indicating the missing numbers. Based on her observations, the scientist was able to reconstruct the lost data. What was the average height of the trees, in meters?
- A.
- B.
- C.
- D.
- E.
Solution 1
We will show that , , , , and meters are the heights of the trees from left to right. We are given that all tree heights are integers, so since Tree 2 has height meters, we can deduce that Trees 1 and 3 both have a height of meters. There are now three possible cases for the heights of Trees 4 and 5 (in order for them to be integers), namely heights of and , and , or and . Checking each of these, in the first case, the average is meters, which doesn't end in as the problem requires. Therefore, we consider the other cases. With and , the average is meters, which again does not end in , but with and , the average is meters, which does. Consequently, the answer is .
Solution 2
Notice the average height of the trees ends with ; therefore, the sum of all five heights of the trees must end with or . ( = ) We already know Tree is meters tall. Both Tree and Tree must meters tall - since neither can be . Once again, apply our observation for solving for the Tree 's height. Tree can't be meters for the sum of the five tree heights to still end with . Therefore, the Tree is meters tall. Now, Tree can either be or . Find the average height for both cases of Tree . Doing this, we realize the Tree must be for the average height to end with and that the average height is .
