This is very concerning, as this question was from the 2021 AMC 12B competition. The contest was held yesterday, February 10, so I do not know how Double Knot had access to the problem before then. — user596778 Feb 11 at 19:10

To the folk raising flags about this question: we are aware that it is a question from the AMC, and that it was posted before the exam. Unfortunately, the exam period has passed, and there isn't much that the Math SE moderators, nor the community moderators, can do. It is up to the MAA to decide what, if anything, they can do. — Xander Henderson ♦ Feb 11 at 21:45

On the one hand, it is not a stated goal of Math.SE to police contests (or homework). On the other hand, if some members of Math.SE believe (as I do) that it is a good turn and supportive of the greater mathematical community, including those administering and competing in contests, to do what can be done to prevent abuse of this resource, then what's the problem? I don't see anyone saying that the policy should be that every Math.SE member must participate in policing, so those who choose not to could just allow others to proceed without campaigning against their efforts. — Todd Wilcox Nov 23 '12 at 5:08

@jsj Because most of the contributors here empathize with the honest math competitors and despise cheaters to such contests. This is an ongoing contest, not a past one. — DanielV Sep 10 '18 at 13:06

@jsj Honor systems don't just magically perpetuate themselves. They work because people support them, so that's what we're doing. And you might want to take note of the word that DanielV used, "despise". It's not inaccurate. — JonathanZ supports MonicaC Sep 17 '18 at 20:07