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smc

counting and probability senior

Problem

A game is played with tokens according to the following rule. In each round, the player with the most tokens gives one token to each of the other players and also places one token in the discard pile. The game ends when some player runs out of tokens. Players , , and start with , , and tokens, respectively. How many rounds will there be in the game?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Solution
We look at a set of three rounds, where the players begin with , , and tokens. After three rounds, there will be a net loss of token per player (they receive two tokens and lose three). Therefore, after rounds -- or three-round sets, and will have , , and tokens, respectively. After more round, player will give away tokens, leaving them empty-handed, and thus the game will end. We then have there are rounds until the game ends.
Final answer
B