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2023 Math Kangaroo

Problem 10

Problem 10 · 2023 Math Kangaroo Medium
Fractions, Decimals & Percents percent-multiplier

After playing 200 games of chess, Beth’s winning rate is exactly 49 %. What is the minimum number of games she has to still play to increase her winning rate to 50 %?

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Answer: D — 4
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Hint 1 of 2
She has 98 wins out of 200; adding x more wins makes it (98+x)/(200+x).
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Hint 2 of 2
Set that fraction to at least 1/2 and solve for the smallest whole x.
Show solution
Approach: set up the win-rate inequality
  1. 49% of 200 is 98 wins.
  2. Winning the next x games gives rate (98+x)/(200+x).
  3. Require (98+x)/(200+x) ≥ 1/2: 196+2x ≥ 200+x, so x ≥ 4.
  4. The minimum is 4 games.
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