Difference between revisions of "2021 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 11"

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(Problem)
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==Simple and Quick Video Solution==
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https://youtu.be/1TZ1uI9z8fU
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Education, the Study of Everything
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==Problem==
 
==Problem==
 
For which of the following integers <math>b</math> is the base-<math>b</math> number <math>2021_b - 221_b</math> not divisible by <math>3</math>?
 
For which of the following integers <math>b</math> is the base-<math>b</math> number <math>2021_b - 221_b</math> not divisible by <math>3</math>?

Revision as of 15:18, 15 February 2021

Simple and Quick Video Solution

https://youtu.be/1TZ1uI9z8fU

Education, the Study of Everything

Problem

For which of the following integers $b$ is the base-$b$ number $2021_b - 221_b$ not divisible by $3$?

$\textbf{(A)} ~3 \qquad\textbf{(B)} ~4\qquad\textbf{(C)} ~6\qquad\textbf{(D)} ~7\qquad\textbf{(E)} ~8$

Solution

We have \[2021_b - 221_b = 2000_b - 200_b = 2b^3 - 2b^2 = 2b^2(b-1).\] This expression is divisible by $3$ unless $b\equiv2\pmod{3}.$ The only choice congruent to $2$ modulo $3$ is $\boxed{\textbf{(E)} ~8}.$

~MRENTHUSIASM

Video Solution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBfRVYx64dA&list=PLexHyfQ8DMuKqltG3cHT7Di4jhVl6L4YJ&index=10

~North America Math Contest Go Go Go

See Also

2021 AMC 10A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 10
Followed by
Problem 12
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All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

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