2020 AIME II Problems/Problem 5

Problem

For each positive integer $n$, let $f(n)$ be the sum of the digits in the base-four representation of $n$ and let $g(n)$ be the sum of the digits in the base-eight representation of $f(n)$. For example, $f(2020) = f(133210_{\text{4}}) = 10 = 12_{\text{8}}$, and $g(2020) = \text{the digit sum of }12_{\text{8}} = 3$. Let $N$ be the least value of $n$ such that the base-sixteen representation of $g(n)$ cannot be expressed using only the digits $0$ through $9$. Find the remainder when $N$ is divided by $1000$.

Solution 1

Let's work backwards. The minimum base-sixteen representation of $g(n)$ that cannot be expressed using only the digits $0$ through $9$ is $A_{16}$, which is equal to $10$ in base 10. Thus, the sum of the digits of the base-eight representation of the sum of the digits of $f(n)$ is $10$. The minimum value for which this is achieved is $37_8$. We have that $37_8 = 31$. Thus, the sum of the digits of the base-four representation of $n$ is $31$. The minimum value for which this is achieved is $13,333,333,333_4$. We just need this value in base 10 modulo 1000. We get $13,333,333,333_4 = 3(1 + 4 + 4^2 + \dots + 4^8 + 4^9) + 4^{10} = 3\left(\dfrac{4^{10} - 1}{3}\right) + 4^{10} = 2*4^{10} - 1$. Taking this value modulo $1000$, we get the final answer of $\boxed{151}$. (If you are having trouble with this step, note that $2^{10} = 1024 \equiv 24 \pmod{1000}$) ~ TopNotchMath

Solution 2 (Official MAA)

First note that if $h_b(s)$ is the least positive integer whose digit sum, in some fixed base $b$, is $s$, then $h_b$ is a strictly increasing function. This together with the fact that $g(N) \ge 10$ shows that $f(N)$ is the least positive integer whose base-eight digit sum is 10. Thus $f(N) = 37_\text{eight} = 31$, and $N$ is the least positive integer whose base-four digit sum is $31.$ Therefore \[N = 13333333333_\text{four} = 2\cdot4^{10} - 1 = 2\cdot1024^2 - 1\] \[\equiv 2\cdot24^2 - 1 \equiv 151 \pmod{1000}.\]

Video Solutions

https://youtu.be/lTyiRQTtIZI

https://youtu.be/ZWe_99091e4

Video Solution by OmegaLearn

https://youtu.be/ZhAZ1oPe5Ds?t=5032

~ pi_is_3.14

See Also

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

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