QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Known info : Alex scored 22 points, Beatrice scored 9 and won once, Carol scored
9.
Points awarded per position = a, b and c with a > b > c > 0

Total number of points = 22 + 9 + 9 = 40

Total number of events = x, where x is > 1 since two events are mentioned in the
question, and x is a factor of 40 since all events award the same number of points
meaning that they equally divide 40. Keeping this in mind, the possible values of x
are 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20 and 40. Let’s consider these values one by one.

If x=2, and Alex and Beatrice won one event, it’s not possible that Carol can have
the same number of points as Beatrice without winning a single event.
X=4 can be considered since there are 10 points per event, and they seemingly do
not conflict any of the information given in the question.
The same goes for x=5 which has 8 points per event.
For x=8, there should be five points per event. However, knowing that a > b > c >
0, this leaves us with a=3, b=2 and c =1 (the only possibility) which = 6 when
added together. 6 points per event leaves us with a total of 48 which isn’t possible
hence ruling out x=8. For this same reason, 10,20 and 40 are also ruled out leaving
us with x=4 and x=5 as the only feasible options.

For x=4, the possibility of points are (7, 2 and 1), (6, 3 and 1), (5, 4 and 1) and (5,
3 and 2). The rest of the options contradict the question. However, it is important
to note that Alex had 22 points. This means that the chosen combination should be
able to add up to 22. E.g. for (5, 3 and 2), the maximum number of points possible
= 20 which does not fit the criteria. The same goes for (5, 4 and 1). It is also
important to remember that Beatrice also won an event, meaning that Alex did not
win all of them. Thus, for (6, 3 and 1), the maximum possible for Alex is 6+6+6+3
= 21 considering the fact that he did not win all events.

Using this logic, we can eliminate (5, 3 and 2), (5,4 and 2) and (6,3 and 1).
(7, 2 and 1) looks likely to be the right combination but there is something else to
consider!
Beatrice had 9 points while winning an event. Meaning that with this combination
she should be getting 9-7=2 points from 3 events. However, since c > 0, this is not
possible.

This leaves us with x=5 as our only viable option, with 8 points per event. The
possibilities in this case are (5, 2 and 1) and (4, 3 and 1). Using the same
elimination process as before, we are left with (5, 2 and 1).

Knowing, the precise combination,we can determine the individual point allocation
of each contestant.
Alex : 5, 5, 5, 5 and 2 (came second in the 100 m sprint, and first in the rest,
meaning that he came first in the javelin throw).
Beatrice : 5, 1, 1, 1 and 1 (first in 100m, third in the rest including javelin).

Since Alex was first in Javelin, and Beatrice was last, this leaves us with Carol
who came second.

ANSWER : CAROL CAME SECOND IN THE JAVELIN THROW.