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Difference between revisions of "2017 AIME I Problems/Problem 9"

m (Fixed a typo, the inequality should be congruent to 19 (mod 99), not -8 (mod 99))
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==Problem 9==
 
==Problem 9==
−
Let <math>a_{10} = 10</math>, and for each integer <math>n >10</math> let <math>a_n = 100a_{n - 1} + n</math>. Find the least <math>n > 10</math> such that <math>a_n</math> is a multiple of <math>99</math>.
+
Let <math>a_{10} = 10</math>, and for each positive integer <math>n >10</math> let <math>a_n = 100a_{n - 1} + n</math>. Find the least positive <math>n > 10</math> such that <math>a_n</math> is a multiple of <math>99</math>.
  
 
==Solution 1==
 
==Solution 1==
 
Writing out the recursive statement for <math>a_n, a_{n-1}, \dots, a_{10}</math> and summing them gives <cmath>a_n+\dots+a_{10}=100(a_{n-1}+\dots+a_{10})+n+\dots+10</cmath>
 
Writing out the recursive statement for <math>a_n, a_{n-1}, \dots, a_{10}</math> and summing them gives <cmath>a_n+\dots+a_{10}=100(a_{n-1}+\dots+a_{10})+n+\dots+10</cmath>
 
Which simplifies to <cmath>a_n=99(a_{n-1}+\dots+a_{10})+\frac{1}{2}(n+10)(n-9)</cmath>
 
Which simplifies to <cmath>a_n=99(a_{n-1}+\dots+a_{10})+\frac{1}{2}(n+10)(n-9)</cmath>
−
Therefore, <math>a_n</math> is divisible by 99 if and only if <math>\frac{1}{2}(n+10)(n-9)</math> is divisible by 99, so <math>(n+10)(n-9)</math> needs to be divisible by 9 and 11. Assume that <math>n+10</math> is a multiple of 11. Writing out a few terms, <math>n=12, 23, 34, 45</math>, we see that <math>n=45</math> is the smallest <math>n</math> that works in this case. Next, assume that <math>n-9</math> is a multiple of 11. Writing out a few terms, <math>n=20, 31, 42, 53</math>, we see that <math>n=53</math> is the smallest <math>n</math> that works in this case. The smallest <math>n</math> is <math>\boxed{45}</math>.
+
Therefore, <math>a_n</math> is divisible by 99 if and only if <math>\frac{1}{2}(n+10)(n-9)</math> is divisible by 99, so <math>(n+10)(n-9)</math> needs to be divisible by 9 and 11. Assume that <math>n+10</math> is a multiple of 11. Writing out a few terms, <math>n=12, 23, 34, 45</math>, we see that <math>n=45</math> is the smallest <math>n</math> that works in this case. Next, assume that <math>n-9</math> is a multiple of 11. Writing out a few terms, <math>n=20, 31, 42, 53</math>, we see that <math>n=53</math> is the smallest <math>n</math> that works in this case. The smallest <math>n</math> is <math>\boxed{045}</math>.
 +
 
 +
Note that we can also construct the solution using CRT by assuming either <math>11</math> divides <math>n+10</math> and <math>9</math> divides <math>n-9</math>, or <math>9</math> divides <math>n+10</math> and <math>11</math> divides <math>n-9</math>, and taking the smaller solution.
 +
==Another way to get the quadratic==
 +
Writing out the first couple of terms modulo <math>99</math>, we find <math>a_n = a_{n-1}+n</math> so we have <math>a_{10}=10,a_{11}=21,a_{12}=33,...</math> We can compute their finite differences, <cmath>10,21,33,46,...</cmath><cmath>11,12,13,...</cmath><cmath>1,1,...</cmath> Since there are 3 rows we know it is a quadratic and we can continue, by finding the quadratic passing through <math>(10,10),(11,21),(12,33)</math> to get <math>\frac{(n^2+n-90)}{2}.</math>
 +
-mathkiddus
  
 
==Solution 2==
 
==Solution 2==
Line 16: Line 21:
 
<cmath>0 \equiv \frac{n(n+1)}{2} - \frac{10*9}{2} \pmod {99} </cmath>
 
<cmath>0 \equiv \frac{n(n+1)}{2} - \frac{10*9}{2} \pmod {99} </cmath>
 
<cmath>0 \equiv n(n+1) - 90 \pmod {99} </cmath>
 
<cmath>0 \equiv n(n+1) - 90 \pmod {99} </cmath>
−
<cmath>0 \equiv n^2+n+9 \pmod {99} </cmath>
 
 
<cmath>0 \equiv 4n^2+4n+36 \pmod {99} </cmath>
 
<cmath>0 \equiv 4n^2+4n+36 \pmod {99} </cmath>
 
<cmath>0 \equiv (2n+1)^2+35 \pmod {99} </cmath>
 
<cmath>0 \equiv (2n+1)^2+35 \pmod {99} </cmath>
Line 31: Line 35:
  
 
The smallest positive integer solution greater than <math>10</math> is <math>n=\boxed{045}</math>.
 
The smallest positive integer solution greater than <math>10</math> is <math>n=\boxed{045}</math>.
 +
 +
==Question==
 +
Is there an efficient way to notice that the only squares that are congruent to <math>64 \pmod {99}</math> are <math>(\pm 8)^2</math> and <math>(\pm 19)^2</math>?
 +
 +
<b>Answer:</b> Yes.
 +
 +
We will solve the question by looking for solutions for <math>m\in[-44,-43,\cdots,-1,0,1,\cdots,43,44]</math>. Let the square be <math>m</math>, thus satisfying <math>m^2-64\equiv 0\pmod{99}</math>  and <math>m^2-64=(m+8)(m-8)=99k</math> for some integer <math>k</math>. Checking the first factor, <math>(m+8)</math>, for factors of <math>11</math> yields:
 +
 +
<math>m+8=0\Rightarrow m-8=-16</math>
 +
 +
<math>m+8=11\Rightarrow m-8=-5</math>
 +
 +
<math>m+8=22\Rightarrow m-8=6</math>
 +
 +
<math>m+8=33\Rightarrow m-8=17</math>
 +
 +
<math>m+8=44\Rightarrow m-8=28</math>
 +
 +
In the first case, the product does divide <math>99</math>, so <math>m=-8\equiv91</math> is a solution. For the others, since the first factor already divides <math>11</math>, the second factor must divide <math>9</math> (or <math>3</math> in the case of <math>m+8=33</math>, which already has a factor of <math>3</math>) in order for the product to divide <math>99</math>. Here, that is not the case, so <math>m=-8</math> is the only possible solution.
 +
 +
Now we check the second factor, <math>(m-8)</math>:
 +
 +
<math>m-8=0\Rightarrow m-8=16</math>
 +
 +
<math>m-8=11\Rightarrow m-8=27</math>
 +
 +
<math>m-8=22\Rightarrow m-8=38</math>
 +
 +
<math>m-8=33\Rightarrow m-8=49</math>
 +
 +
<math>m-8=44\Rightarrow m-8=60</math>
 +
 +
We immediately see that <math>m=8</math> is a solution. Using a similar argument as above for the others, we notice that <math>m=19</math> is the only solution in this group. Using the property that <math>ab\equiv(-a)(-b)\mod99</math>, it is clear that <math>m=-19</math> is also a solution. As a result, <math>m=\pm8</math> and <math>m=\pm19</math> are the only solutions. (This process takes a much shorter time than it seems.)
 +
 +
~eevee9406
 +
 +
==Solution 3==
 +
<math>a_n=a_{n-1} + n \pmod{99}</math>.  Using the steps of the previous solution we get up to <math>n^2+n \equiv 90 \pmod{99}</math>. This gives away the fact that <math>(n)(n+1) \equiv 0 \pmod{9} \implies n \equiv \{0, 8\} \pmod{9}</math> so either <math>n</math> or <math>n+1</math> must be a multiple of 9.
 +
 +
Case 1 (<math>9 \mid n</math>): Say <math>n=9x</math> and after simplification <math>x(9x+1) = 10 \pmod{90} \forall x \in \mathbb{Z}</math>. 
 +
 +
Case 2: (<math>9 \mid n+1</math>): Say <math>n=9a-1</math> and after simplification <math>(9a-1)(a) = 10 \pmod{90} \forall a \in \mathbb{Z}</math>.
 +
 +
As a result <math>a</math> must be a divisor of <math>10</math> and after doing some testing in both cases the smallest value that works is <math>x=5 \implies \boxed{045}</math>.
 +
 +
~First
 +
 +
==Solution 4 (not good, risky)==
 +
We just notice that <math>100 \equiv 1 \pmod{99}</math>, so we are just trying to find <math>10 + 11 + 12 + \cdots + n</math> modulo <math>99</math>, or <math>\dfrac{n(n+1)}{2} - 45</math> modulo <math>99</math>. Also, the sum to <math>44</math> is divisible by <math>99</math>, and is the first one that is. Thus, if we sum to <math>45</math> the <math>45</math> is cut off and thus is just a sum to <math>44</math>.
 +
 +
Without checking whether there are other sums congruent to <math>45 \pmod{99}</math>, we can just write the answer to be <math>\boxed{045}</math>.
 +
 +
==Solution 5==
 +
Let <math>b_n = 2a_{n+10}</math>. We can find a formula for <math>b_n</math>:
 +
 +
<math>b_n = (20+n)(n+1)</math>.
 +
 +
Notice that both can't have a factor of 3. Thus we can limit our search range of n to <math>n \equiv 7,8 \pmod{9}</math>. Testing values for n in our search range (like 7,8,16,17,25,26...), we get that 35 is the least n. But, don't write that down! Remember, <math>b_n = 2a_{n+10}</math>, so, the 35th term in b corresponds to the 45th term in a. Thus our answer is <math>\boxed{045}</math>.
 +
 +
-AlexLikeMath
 +
 +
==Solution 6 (bash, slower, but safer)==
 +
 +
The first thing you should realize is that each term after the tenth is another two-digit number chained to the last number. <math>10, 1011, 101112, \dots</math>. Now the fact that the sequence starts at <math>10</math> can be completely discarded for this solution. Just consider <math>a(10)</math> then same as <math>a(1)</math>, and we can add nine to the answer at the end.
 +
 +
 +
The second step is to split <math>99</math> as <math>9</math> and <math>11</math> and solve for divisibility rules individually. Let's start with <math>11</math> because it gives us the most information to continue.
 +
 +
 +
In any number generated, if the numbers don't go beyond <math>20</math>, then the highest number we can get is <math>10111213141516171819</math>, with every odd digit being <math>1</math>. This is a little risky because we are assuming that it doesn't exceed <math>20</math>. If someone wanted to be absolutely sure they could continue, but this is unnecessary later and a big hassle. Anyways, now we write an equation to check for divisibility by <math>11</math>. The expression being <math>\frac{((n-1) + 0)\cdot n)}{2}-n</math>.
 +
 +
The concept here is to add <math>0</math> to the <math>n-1^{th}</math> term altogether, then subtract the number of ones in it, which is <math>n</math>. Simplify to <math>\frac{n(n-3)}{2}</math> congruent to <math>0 \pmod{11}</math>. Now notice the divide by two can be discarded because one of <math>n</math> or <math>(n-3)</math> will be even. So if <math>n</math> or <math>n-3</math> is to be divisible by <math>11</math>, we can make a simple list.
 +
 +
<cmath>n = 0, 3, 11, 14, 22, 25, 33, 36, 44, 47, \dots</cmath>
 +
 +
Now we test each <math>n</math> for divisibility by <math>9</math>.
 +
This is done by making a list that ultimately calculates the sum of every digit in the large number.
 +
<math>n(1)</math> to <math>n(10)</math> has the first digit <math>1</math>. <math>n(11)</math> to <math>n(20)</math> has the first digit <math>2</math>, and so on.
 +
The necessary thing to realize is that the sum of all digits <math>0-9</math> is divisible by <math>9</math>, so we only have to solve for the sum of the first digits, and then the short list of second digits.
 +
 +
For example, let's test <math>n=25</math>.
 +
 +
So we know that <math>25</math> include both <math>1-10</math> and <math>11-20</math>, so that's <math>10 + 20</math> right away. <math>21-25</math> contains <math>5</math> numbers that have the first digit <math>3</math>, so <math>+15</math>. Then we add <math>0-4</math> together, which is <math>10</math>. <math>10+20+15+10=55</math>, which is not divisible by <math>9</math>, so it is not the answer.
 +
 +
Do this for just a minute you get that <math>36</math> sums to <math>99</math>, a multiple of nine! So <math>n(36)</math> is the answer, right? Don't forget we have to add <math>9</math> because we translated <math>n(10)</math> to <math>n(1)</math> at the very beginning!
 +
Finally, after a short bash, we get <math>\boxed{045}</math>.
 +
 +
-jackshi2006
 +
(<math>LaTeX</math> by PureSwag)
 +
 +
==Solution 7 (Bash Bash Bash)==
 +
We will work<math>\mod 99</math>. The recursive formula now becomes <math>a_n=a_{n-1}+n</math>. Now, we will bash. For convenience, everything is taken <math>\mod 99</math>. The sequence is
 +
<cmath>\begin{align*}a_{10}&=10 \\ a_{11}&=10+11=21 \\ a_{12}&=12+21=33 \\ a_{13}&=13+33=46 \\ a_{14}&=46+14=60 \\ a_{15}&=60+15=75 \\ a_{16}&=75+16=91 \\ a_{17}&=91+17=9 \\ a_{18}&=9+18=27 \\ a_{19}&=27+19=46 \\ a_{20}&=46+20=66 \\ a_{21}&=66+21=87 \\ a_{22}&=87+22=10 \\ a_{23}&=10+23=33 \\ a_{24}&=33+24=57 \\ a_{25}&=57+25=82 \\ a_{26}&=82+26=9 \\ a_{27}&=9+27=36 \\ a_{28}&=36+28=64 \\ a_{29}&=64+29=93 \\ a_{30}&=93+30=24 \\ a_{31}&=24+31=55 \\ a_{32}&=55+32=87 \\ a_{33}&=87+33=21 \\ a_{34}&=21+34=55 \\ a_{35}&=55+35=90 \\ a_{36}&=90+36=27 \\ a_{37}&=27+37=64 \\ a_{38}&=64+38=3 \\ a_{39}&=3+39=42 \\ a_{40}&=42+40=82 \\ a_{41}&=82+41=24 \\ a_{42}&=24+42=66 \\ a_{43}&=66+43=10 \\ a_{44}&=10+44=54 \\ a_{45}&=54+45=0.\end{align*}</cmath> Hence the least number <math>n</math> is <math>n=45</math>.
 +
 +
~typos fixed by lpieleanu
 +
 +
==Solution 8==
 +
Taking the recurrence mod <math>99</math>, we have <cmath>a_n=a_{n-1}+n</cmath> for <math>a_{10}=10</math>. Then, we have <cmath>a_n=10+11+12+\cdots+n \implies a_n=\frac{n(n+1)}2-45 \equiv 0 \pmod{99} \implies n(n+1)-90 \equiv 0 \pmod{99} \implies n(n+1)+9 \equiv 0 \pmod{99} \implies n \equiv 0 \pmod{9}.</cmath> Then, we simply can test these values of <math>n</math> to find that <math>n=\boxed{045}</math> produces a value that is also divisible by <math>11</math>.
 +
 +
-A1001
 +
 +
==Note==
 +
By the way, if you're wondering, <math>a_{45}</math> is the <math>72</math>-digit number <cmath>101\text{,}112\text{,}131\text{,}415\text{,}161\text{,}718\text{,}192\text{,}021\text{,}222\text{,}324\text{,}252\text{,}627\text{,}282\text{,}930\text{,}313\text{,}233\text{,}343\text{,}536\text{,}373\text{,}839\text{,}404\text{,}142\text{,}434\text{,}445.</cmath> The prime factorization of <math>a_{45}</math> is <cmath>3^{2}~\cdot~5~\cdot~11~\cdot~151~\cdot~1381~\cdot~1559~\cdot~1\text{,}511\text{,}647~\cdot~448\text{,}966\text{,}261\text{,}198\text{,}213\text{,}862\text{,}368\text{,}469~\cdot~925\text{,}800\text{,}120\text{,}162\text{,}193\text{,}934\text{,}310\text{,}647\text{,}599\text{,}013</cmath> and <math>\frac{a_{45}}{99}</math> is the <math>70</math>-digit number <cmath>1\text{,}021\text{,}334\text{,}660\text{,}759\text{,}209\text{,}274\text{,}666\text{,}881\text{,}033\text{,}578\text{,}309\text{,}366\text{,}494\text{,}245\text{,}588\text{,}215\text{,}591\text{,}276\text{,}503\text{,}428\text{,}324\text{,}671\text{,}055.</cmath>
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
{{AIME box|year=2017|n=I|num-b=8|num-a=10}}
 
{{AIME box|year=2017|n=I|num-b=8|num-a=10}}
 +
 +
[[Category:Intermediate Number Theory Problems]]
 
{{MAA Notice}}
 
{{MAA Notice}}

Latest revision as of 12:54, 2 November 2024

Problem 9

Let $a_{10} = 10$, and for each positive integer $n >10$ let $a_n = 100a_{n - 1} + n$. Find the least positive $n > 10$ such that $a_n$ is a multiple of $99$.

Solution 1

Writing out the recursive statement for $a_n, a_{n-1}, \dots, a_{10}$ and summing them gives \[a_n+\dots+a_{10}=100(a_{n-1}+\dots+a_{10})+n+\dots+10\] Which simplifies to \[a_n=99(a_{n-1}+\dots+a_{10})+\frac{1}{2}(n+10)(n-9)\] Therefore, $a_n$ is divisible by 99 if and only if $\frac{1}{2}(n+10)(n-9)$ is divisible by 99, so $(n+10)(n-9)$ needs to be divisible by 9 and 11. Assume that $n+10$ is a multiple of 11. Writing out a few terms, $n=12, 23, 34, 45$, we see that $n=45$ is the smallest $n$ that works in this case. Next, assume that $n-9$ is a multiple of 11. Writing out a few terms, $n=20, 31, 42, 53$, we see that $n=53$ is the smallest $n$ that works in this case. The smallest $n$ is $\boxed{045}$.

Note that we can also construct the solution using CRT by assuming either $11$ divides $n+10$ and $9$ divides $n-9$, or $9$ divides $n+10$ and $11$ divides $n-9$, and taking the smaller solution.

Another way to get the quadratic

Writing out the first couple of terms modulo $99$, we find $a_n = a_{n-1}+n$ so we have $a_{10}=10,a_{11}=21,a_{12}=33,...$ We can compute their finite differences, \[10,21,33,46,...\]\[11,12,13,...\]\[1,1,...\] Since there are 3 rows we know it is a quadratic and we can continue, by finding the quadratic passing through $(10,10),(11,21),(12,33)$ to get $\frac{(n^2+n-90)}{2}.$ -mathkiddus

Solution 2

\[a_n \equiv a_{n-1} + n \pmod {99}\] By looking at the first few terms, we can see that \[a_n \equiv 10+11+12+ \dots + n \pmod {99}\] This implies \[a_n \equiv \frac{n(n+1)}{2} - \frac{10*9}{2} \pmod {99}\] Since $a_n \equiv 0 \pmod {99}$, we can rewrite the equivalence, and simplify \[0 \equiv \frac{n(n+1)}{2} - \frac{10*9}{2} \pmod {99}\] \[0 \equiv n(n+1) - 90 \pmod {99}\] \[0 \equiv 4n^2+4n+36 \pmod {99}\] \[0 \equiv (2n+1)^2+35 \pmod {99}\] \[64 \equiv (2n+1)^2 \pmod {99}\] The only squares that are congruent to $64 \pmod {99}$ are $(\pm 8)^2$ and $(\pm 19)^2$, so \[2n+1 \equiv -8, 8, 19, \text{or } {-19} \pmod {99}\] $2n+1 \equiv -8 \pmod {99}$ yields $n=45$ as the smallest integer solution.

$2n+1 \equiv 8 \pmod {99}$ yields $n=53$ as the smallest integer solution.

$2n+1 \equiv -19 \pmod {99}$ yields $n=89$ as the smallest integer solution.

$2n+1 \equiv 19 \pmod {99}$ yields $n=9$ as the smallest integer solution. However, $n$ must be greater than $10$.

The smallest positive integer solution greater than $10$ is $n=\boxed{045}$.

Question

Is there an efficient way to notice that the only squares that are congruent to $64 \pmod {99}$ are $(\pm 8)^2$ and $(\pm 19)^2$?

Answer: Yes.

We will solve the question by looking for solutions for $m\in[-44,-43,\cdots,-1,0,1,\cdots,43,44]$. Let the square be $m$, thus satisfying $m^2-64\equiv 0\pmod{99}$ and $m^2-64=(m+8)(m-8)=99k$ for some integer $k$. Checking the first factor, $(m+8)$, for factors of $11$ yields:

$m+8=0\Rightarrow m-8=-16$

$m+8=11\Rightarrow m-8=-5$

$m+8=22\Rightarrow m-8=6$

$m+8=33\Rightarrow m-8=17$

$m+8=44\Rightarrow m-8=28$

In the first case, the product does divide $99$, so $m=-8\equiv91$ is a solution. For the others, since the first factor already divides $11$, the second factor must divide $9$ (or $3$ in the case of $m+8=33$, which already has a factor of $3$) in order for the product to divide $99$. Here, that is not the case, so $m=-8$ is the only possible solution.

Now we check the second factor, $(m-8)$:

$m-8=0\Rightarrow m-8=16$

$m-8=11\Rightarrow m-8=27$

$m-8=22\Rightarrow m-8=38$

$m-8=33\Rightarrow m-8=49$

$m-8=44\Rightarrow m-8=60$

We immediately see that $m=8$ is a solution. Using a similar argument as above for the others, we notice that $m=19$ is the only solution in this group. Using the property that $ab\equiv(-a)(-b)\mod99$, it is clear that $m=-19$ is also a solution. As a result, $m=\pm8$ and $m=\pm19$ are the only solutions. (This process takes a much shorter time than it seems.)

~eevee9406

Solution 3

$a_n=a_{n-1} + n \pmod{99}$. Using the steps of the previous solution we get up to $n^2+n \equiv 90 \pmod{99}$. This gives away the fact that $(n)(n+1) \equiv 0 \pmod{9} \implies n \equiv \{0, 8\} \pmod{9}$ so either $n$ or $n+1$ must be a multiple of 9.

Case 1 ($9 \mid n$): Say $n=9x$ and after simplification $x(9x+1) = 10 \pmod{90} \forall x \in \mathbb{Z}$.

Case 2: ($9 \mid n+1$): Say $n=9a-1$ and after simplification $(9a-1)(a) = 10 \pmod{90} \forall a \in \mathbb{Z}$.

As a result $a$ must be a divisor of $10$ and after doing some testing in both cases the smallest value that works is $x=5 \implies \boxed{045}$.

~First

Solution 4 (not good, risky)

We just notice that $100 \equiv 1 \pmod{99}$, so we are just trying to find $10 + 11 + 12 + \cdots + n$ modulo $99$, or $\dfrac{n(n+1)}{2} - 45$ modulo $99$. Also, the sum to $44$ is divisible by $99$, and is the first one that is. Thus, if we sum to $45$ the $45$ is cut off and thus is just a sum to $44$.

Without checking whether there are other sums congruent to $45 \pmod{99}$, we can just write the answer to be $\boxed{045}$.

Solution 5

Let $b_n = 2a_{n+10}$. We can find a formula for $b_n$:

$b_n = (20+n)(n+1)$.

Notice that both can't have a factor of 3. Thus we can limit our search range of n to $n \equiv 7,8 \pmod{9}$. Testing values for n in our search range (like 7,8,16,17,25,26...), we get that 35 is the least n. But, don't write that down! Remember, $b_n = 2a_{n+10}$, so, the 35th term in b corresponds to the 45th term in a. Thus our answer is $\boxed{045}$.

-AlexLikeMath

Solution 6 (bash, slower, but safer)

The first thing you should realize is that each term after the tenth is another two-digit number chained to the last number. $10, 1011, 101112, \dots$. Now the fact that the sequence starts at $10$ can be completely discarded for this solution. Just consider $a(10)$ then same as $a(1)$, and we can add nine to the answer at the end.


The second step is to split $99$ as $9$ and $11$ and solve for divisibility rules individually. Let's start with $11$ because it gives us the most information to continue.


In any number generated, if the numbers don't go beyond $20$, then the highest number we can get is $10111213141516171819$, with every odd digit being $1$. This is a little risky because we are assuming that it doesn't exceed $20$. If someone wanted to be absolutely sure they could continue, but this is unnecessary later and a big hassle. Anyways, now we write an equation to check for divisibility by $11$. The expression being $\frac{((n-1) + 0)\cdot n)}{2}-n$.

The concept here is to add $0$ to the $n-1^{th}$ term altogether, then subtract the number of ones in it, which is $n$. Simplify to $\frac{n(n-3)}{2}$ congruent to $0 \pmod{11}$. Now notice the divide by two can be discarded because one of $n$ or $(n-3)$ will be even. So if $n$ or $n-3$ is to be divisible by $11$, we can make a simple list.

\[n = 0, 3, 11, 14, 22, 25, 33, 36, 44, 47, \dots\]

Now we test each $n$ for divisibility by $9$. This is done by making a list that ultimately calculates the sum of every digit in the large number. $n(1)$ to $n(10)$ has the first digit $1$. $n(11)$ to $n(20)$ has the first digit $2$, and so on. The necessary thing to realize is that the sum of all digits $0-9$ is divisible by $9$, so we only have to solve for the sum of the first digits, and then the short list of second digits.

For example, let's test $n=25$.

So we know that $25$ include both $1-10$ and $11-20$, so that's $10 + 20$ right away. $21-25$ contains $5$ numbers that have the first digit $3$, so $+15$. Then we add $0-4$ together, which is $10$. $10+20+15+10=55$, which is not divisible by $9$, so it is not the answer.

Do this for just a minute you get that $36$ sums to $99$, a multiple of nine! So $n(36)$ is the answer, right? Don't forget we have to add $9$ because we translated $n(10)$ to $n(1)$ at the very beginning! Finally, after a short bash, we get $\boxed{045}$.

-jackshi2006 ($LaTeX$ by PureSwag)

Solution 7 (Bash Bash Bash)

We will work$\mod 99$. The recursive formula now becomes $a_n=a_{n-1}+n$. Now, we will bash. For convenience, everything is taken $\mod 99$. The sequence is \begin{align*}a_{10}&=10 \\ a_{11}&=10+11=21 \\ a_{12}&=12+21=33 \\ a_{13}&=13+33=46 \\ a_{14}&=46+14=60 \\ a_{15}&=60+15=75 \\ a_{16}&=75+16=91 \\ a_{17}&=91+17=9 \\ a_{18}&=9+18=27 \\ a_{19}&=27+19=46 \\ a_{20}&=46+20=66 \\ a_{21}&=66+21=87 \\ a_{22}&=87+22=10 \\ a_{23}&=10+23=33 \\ a_{24}&=33+24=57 \\ a_{25}&=57+25=82 \\ a_{26}&=82+26=9 \\ a_{27}&=9+27=36 \\ a_{28}&=36+28=64 \\ a_{29}&=64+29=93 \\ a_{30}&=93+30=24 \\ a_{31}&=24+31=55 \\ a_{32}&=55+32=87 \\ a_{33}&=87+33=21 \\ a_{34}&=21+34=55 \\ a_{35}&=55+35=90 \\ a_{36}&=90+36=27 \\ a_{37}&=27+37=64 \\ a_{38}&=64+38=3 \\ a_{39}&=3+39=42 \\ a_{40}&=42+40=82 \\ a_{41}&=82+41=24 \\ a_{42}&=24+42=66 \\ a_{43}&=66+43=10 \\ a_{44}&=10+44=54 \\ a_{45}&=54+45=0.\end{align*} Hence the least number $n$ is $n=45$.

~typos fixed by lpieleanu

Solution 8

Taking the recurrence mod $99$, we have \[a_n=a_{n-1}+n\] for $a_{10}=10$. Then, we have \[a_n=10+11+12+\cdots+n \implies a_n=\frac{n(n+1)}2-45 \equiv 0 \pmod{99} \implies n(n+1)-90 \equiv 0 \pmod{99} \implies n(n+1)+9 \equiv 0 \pmod{99} \implies n \equiv 0 \pmod{9}.\] Then, we simply can test these values of $n$ to find that $n=\boxed{045}$ produces a value that is also divisible by $11$.

-A1001

Note

By the way, if you're wondering, $a_{45}$ is the $72$-digit number \[101\text{,}112\text{,}131\text{,}415\text{,}161\text{,}718\text{,}192\text{,}021\text{,}222\text{,}324\text{,}252\text{,}627\text{,}282\text{,}930\text{,}313\text{,}233\text{,}343\text{,}536\text{,}373\text{,}839\text{,}404\text{,}142\text{,}434\text{,}445.\] The prime factorization of $a_{45}$ is \[3^{2}~\cdot~5~\cdot~11~\cdot~151~\cdot~1381~\cdot~1559~\cdot~1\text{,}511\text{,}647~\cdot~448\text{,}966\text{,}261\text{,}198\text{,}213\text{,}862\text{,}368\text{,}469~\cdot~925\text{,}800\text{,}120\text{,}162\text{,}193\text{,}934\text{,}310\text{,}647\text{,}599\text{,}013\] and $\frac{a_{45}}{99}$ is the $70$-digit number \[1\text{,}021\text{,}334\text{,}660\text{,}759\text{,}209\text{,}274\text{,}666\text{,}881\text{,}033\text{,}578\text{,}309\text{,}366\text{,}494\text{,}245\text{,}588\text{,}215\text{,}591\text{,}276\text{,}503\text{,}428\text{,}324\text{,}671\text{,}055.\]

See also

2017 AIME I (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
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