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Difference between revisions of "1992 AIME Problems/Problem 5"

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Revision as of 18:23, 4 July 2013

Problem

Let $S^{}_{}$ be the set of all rational numbers $r^{}_{}$, $0^{}_{}<r<1$, that have a repeating decimal expansion in the form $0.abcabcabc\ldots=0.\overline{abc}$, where the digits $a^{}_{}$, $b^{}_{}$, and $c^{}_{}$ are not necessarily distinct. To write the elements of $S^{}_{}$ as fractions in lowest terms, how many different numerators are required?

Solution

We consider the method in which repeating decimals are normally converted to fractions with an example:

$x=0.\overline{176}$

$\Rightarrow 1000x=176.\overline{176}$

$\Rightarrow 999x=1000x-x=176$

$\Rightarrow x=\frac{176}{999}$

Thus, let $x=0.\overline{abc}$

$\Rightarrow 1000x=abc.\overline{abc}$

$\Rightarrow 999x=1000x-x=abc$

$\Rightarrow x=\frac{abc}{999}$

If $abc$ is not divisible by $3$ or $37$, then this is in lowest terms. Let us consider the other multiples: $333$ multiples of $3$, $27$ of $37$, and $9$ of $3$ and $37$, so $999-333-27+9 = 648$, which is the amount that are neither. The $12$ numbers that are multiples of $81$ reduce to multiples of $3$. We have to count these since it will reduce to a multiple of $3$ which we have removed from $999$, but, this cannot be removed since the numerator cannot cancel the $3$.There aren't any numbers which are multiples of $37^2$, so we can't get numerators which are multiples of $37$. Therefore $648 + 12 = \boxed{660}$.

1992 AIME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
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