1956 AMC 12 Problem 16

Attempt Problem 16 of the 1956 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1956 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

16.

The sum of three numbers is 98.98. The ratio of the first to the second is 23,\dfrac23, and the ratio of the second to the third is 58.\dfrac58. The second number is:
1515
2020
3030
3232
3333
Answer: C
Concepts:ratiosproportional quantitieslinear equation
Small hint:
Choose a common scaling so the three numbers have ratio 10:15:2410:15:24
Big hint:
Those ratio parts add to 4949
Solution:
The first-to-second ratio 2:32:3 and second-to-third ratio 5:85:8 combine to give the three-number ratio 10:15:24.10:15:24. The 4949 total parts equal 98,98, so each part is 2.2. The second number is 15⋅2=30.15\cdot2=30.
Thus, the correct answer is C.
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