Difference between revisions of "2020 AIME I Problems/Problem 9"

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== Problem ==
 
== Problem ==
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Let <math>S</math> be the set of positive integer divisors of <math>20^9.</math> Three numbers are chosen independently and at random with replacement from the set <math>S</math> and labeled <math>a_1,a_2,</math> and <math>a_3</math> in the order they are chosen. The probability that both <math>a_1</math> divides <math>a_2</math> and <math>a_2</math> divides <math>a_3</math> is <math>\tfrac{m}{n},</math> where <math>m</math> and <math>n</math> are relatively prime positive integers. Find <math>m.</math>
  
 
== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==

Revision as of 16:34, 12 March 2020

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Problem

Let $S$ be the set of positive integer divisors of $20^9.$ Three numbers are chosen independently and at random with replacement from the set $S$ and labeled $a_1,a_2,$ and $a_3$ in the order they are chosen. The probability that both $a_1$ divides $a_2$ and $a_2$ divides $a_3$ is $\tfrac{m}{n},$ where $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime positive integers. Find $m.$

Solution

First, prime factorize $20^9$ as $2^{18} \cdot 5^9$. Denote $a_1$ as $2^{b_1} \cdot 5^{c_1}$, $a_2$ as $2^{b_2} \cdot 5^{c_2}$, and $a_3$ as $2^{b_3} \cdot 5^{c_3}$.

In order for $a_1$ to divide $a_2$, and for $a_2$ to divide $a_3$, $b_1<=b_2<=b_3$, and $c_1<=c_2<=c_3$. We will consider each case separately. Note that the total amount of possibilities is $190^3$, as there are $(18+1)(9+1)=190$ choices for each factor.

We notice that if we add $1$ to $b_2$ and $2$ to $b_3$, then we can reach the stronger inequality $b_1<b_2<b_3$. Therefore, if we pick $3$ integers from $0$ to $20$, they will correspond to a unique solution, forming a 1-1 correspondence. The amount of solutions to this inequality is $\dbinom{21}{3}$.

The case for $c_1$,$c_2$, and $c_3$ proceeds similarly for a result of $\dbinom{12}{3}$. Therefore, the probability of choosing three such factors is \[\frac{\dbinom{21}{3} \cdot \dbinom{12}{3}}{190^3}.\] Simplification gives $\frac{77}{1805}$, and therefore the answer is $\boxed{77}$.

-molocyxu

See Also

2020 AIME I (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 8
Followed by
Problem 10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions

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