2022 SSMO Speed Round Problems/Problem 1

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Problem

Let $S_1 = \{2,0,3\}$ and $S_2 = \{2,20,202,2023\}.$ Find the last digit of \[\sum_{a\in S_1,b\in S_2}a^b.\]

Solution

Since the power of $0$ to an integer is always $0$, it follows that we want to find the last digit of \[2^2 + 2^{20} + 2^{202} + 2^{2023} +3^2 + 3^{20} + 3^{202} + 3^{2023}\] \end{align*} Since the powers of $2$ are $2, 4, 8, 16, 32$ it follows that $2^n$ and $2^{n+4}$ have the same last digit for $n \ge 1$. Similarily, $3^n$ and $3^{n+4}$ have the same last digit. (This follows as $\varphi(10) = 4$ too).

The expression then has the same last digit as \[2^2 + 2^{4} + 2^{2} + 2^{3} + 3^2 + 3^{4} + 3^{2} + 3^{3}\] which is just $8$.