Art of Problem Solving
AoPS Online
Math texts, online classes, and more
for students in grades 5-12.
Visit AoPS Online ‚
Books for Grades 5-12 Online Courses
Beast Academy
Engaging math books and online learning
for students ages 6-13.
Visit Beast Academy ‚
Books for Ages 6-13 Beast Academy Online
AoPS Academy
Small live classes for advanced math
and language arts learners in grades 2-12.
Visit AoPS Academy ‚
Find a Physical Campus Visit the Virtual Campus

Difference between revisions of "1983 AIME Problems/Problem 8"

(→‎Solution 2: Clarification of Solution 1)
(→‎Solution)
Line 5: Line 5:
  
 
Expanding the [[combination|binomial coefficient]], we get <math>{200 \choose 100}=\frac{200!}{100!100!}</math>. Let the required prime be <math>p</math>; then <math>10 \le p < 100</math>. If <math>p > 50</math>, then the factor of <math>p</math> appears twice in the denominator. Thus, we need <math>p</math> to appear as a factor at least three times in the numerator, so <math>3p<200</math>. The largest such prime is <math>\boxed{061}</math>, which is our answer.
 
Expanding the [[combination|binomial coefficient]], we get <math>{200 \choose 100}=\frac{200!}{100!100!}</math>. Let the required prime be <math>p</math>; then <math>10 \le p < 100</math>. If <math>p > 50</math>, then the factor of <math>p</math> appears twice in the denominator. Thus, we need <math>p</math> to appear as a factor at least three times in the numerator, so <math>3p<200</math>. The largest such prime is <math>\boxed{061}</math>, which is our answer.
−
 
  
 
== Solution 2: Clarification of Solution 1 ==
 
== Solution 2: Clarification of Solution 1 ==

Revision as of 11:54, 21 August 2019

Problem

What is the largest $2$-digit prime factor of the integer $n = {200\choose 100}$?

Solution

Expanding the binomial coefficient, we get ${200 \choose 100}=\frac{200!}{100!100!}$. Let the required prime be $p$; then $10 \le p < 100$. If $p > 50$, then the factor of $p$ appears twice in the denominator. Thus, we need $p$ to appear as a factor at least three times in the numerator, so $3p<200$. The largest such prime is $\boxed{061}$, which is our answer.

Solution 2: Clarification of Solution 1

We know that \[{200\choose100}=\frac{200!}{100!100!}\] Since $p<100$, there is at least $1$ factor of $p$ in each of the $100!$ in the denominator. Thus there must be at least $3$ factors of $p$ in the numerator $200!$ for $p$ to be a factor of $n=\frac{200!}{100!100!}$. (Note that here we assume the minimum because as $p$ goes larger in value, the number of factors of $p$ in a number decreases,)

So basically, $p$ is the largest prime number such that \[\lfloor\frac{200}{p}\rfloor>3\] Since $p<\frac{200}{3}=66.66...$, the largest prime value for $p$ is $p=\boxed{61}$

~ Nafer

See Also

1983 AIME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 7 		Followed by
Problem 9
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions
Retrieved from "https://artofproblemsolving.com/wiki/index.php?title=1983_AIME_Problems/Problem_8&oldid=109130"