Are you smarter than the 6th-grade MathCounts champion?
Posted: 11 May 2008 10:32 AM

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R. Limbaugh
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All I can say is “WOW!”

Question: A set of distinct positive integers has a total of 11 digits, and all the digits are ones. What is the smallest possible sum of the integers in the set?

The winner was 11 year old (6th grade) Darryl Wu from Bellevue, Washington. He answered it in 45 seconds.

http://tinyurl.com/5d5m2p

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Posted: 11 May 2008 10:45 AM   [ Ignore ]  [ # 1 ]

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W. Churchill
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I only have 10 fingers, not 11.

So, my answer is “No, I can’t do that Wow-do that Wu does so well”.

:)

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Posted: 11 May 2008 02:52 PM   [ Ignore ]  [ # 2 ]

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R. Limbaugh
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Not punny, Gabe.;P

What does “distinct” mean in math-speak?  ‘Cause I didn’t understand the question either.

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Posted: 11 May 2008 02:59 PM   [ Ignore ]  [ # 3 ]

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W. F. Buckley
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Pandora - 11 May 2008 02:52 PM


What does “distinct” mean in math-speak?

Separate and different.  If they didn’t say “distinct” then the set {1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1} would work, giving an answer of 11 (which is incorrect).

 
 
Posted: 11 May 2008 03:05 PM   [ Ignore ]  [ # 4 ]

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R. Limbaugh
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progressoverpeace - 11 May 2008 02:59 PM

Pandora - 11 May 2008 02:52 PM


What does “distinct” mean in math-speak?

Separate and different.  If they didn’t say “distinct” then the set {1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1} would work, giving an answer of 11 (which is incorrect).

PoP, doesn’t the set you displayed also show “distinct” integers as well, by your definition?

Not being argumentative here, I’m a (this kind of) math idiot.  Answer in words of two syllables, please.

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“Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.” - Mark Twain

 
 
Posted: 11 May 2008 04:05 PM   [ Ignore ]  [ # 5 ]  
W. F. Buckley
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Pandora - 11 May 2008 03:05 PM

progressoverpeace - 11 May 2008 02:59 PM
Pandora - 11 May 2008 02:52 PM


What does “distinct” mean in math-speak?

Separate and different.  If they didn’t say “distinct” then the set {1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1} would work, giving an answer of 11 (which is incorrect).

PoP, doesn’t the set you displayed also show “distinct” integers as well, by your definition?

They are not distinct, in the mathematical sense, since they are the same number.  The first member is the same as the second member (1 = 1), and the third, ...

Not being argumentative here, I’m a (this kind of) math idiot.  Answer in words of two syllables, please.

:) No problem, Pandora.  This is just a matter of technical jargon. 

In math, a list/collection of distinct values (integers, in this case) means that all must be different from each other. 

The fact is that mathematical “sets” must always hold distinct values (e.g. {1,4,3,1} is not a mathematical “set”, since the member “1” appears twice - one would also say that it is not a distinct collection of integers), so the original question was redundant in asking for a “set” of “distinct” integers.  The questioner was mixing the general English usage of “set”, which people take to mean any old collection of objects, including multiple copies, with the mathematical usage of distinct.  That happens very often, though.  I made the same mistake in my response above.

 
 
Posted: 11 May 2008 04:23 PM   [ Ignore ]  [ # 6 ]

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R. Limbaugh
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Okay.  Got it now, PoP.  Thank you.

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“Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.” - Mark Twain

 
 
Posted: 11 May 2008 06:23 PM   [ Ignore ]  [ # 7 ]

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A. Lincoln
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I attended the awards banquet last night. All these kids (mathletes) are a wonder and a blessing to behold! Lockheed Martin and the corporate sponsors should be recognized and appreciated for establishing and running this competition these past 25 years!

It gives one hope!

http://mathcounts.org

EDIT:  For you New Yorkers, your team won “Best Team Spirit”! The mathletes performed an impromptu “New York, New York” song and dance up on stage. It was Great!

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