2016 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 22

Revision as of 00:18, 23 February 2016 by Hnkevin42 (talk | contribs) (Solution)

Problem

For a certain positive integer $n$ less than $1000$, the decimal equivalent of $\frac{1}{n}$ is $0.\overline{abcdef}$, a repeating decimal of period of $6$, and the decimal equivalent of $\frac{1}{n+6}$ is $0.\overline{wxyz}$, a repeating decimal of period $4$. In which interval does $n$ lie?

$\textbf{(A)}\ [1,200]\qquad\textbf{(B)}\ [201,400]\qquad\textbf{(C)}\ [401,600]\qquad\textbf{(D)}\ [601,800]\qquad\textbf{(E)}\ [801,999]$

Solution

Solution by e_power_pi_times_i

If $\frac{1}{n} = 0.\overline{abcdef}$, $n$ must be a factor of $999999$. Also, by the same procedure, $n+6$ must be a factor of $9999$. Checking through all the factors of $999999$ and $9999$ that are less than $1000$, we see that $n = 297$ is a solution, so the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(B)}}$.

Note: $n = 27$ is also a solution, which invalidates this method. However, we need to examine all factors of $999999$ that are not factors of $99999$, $999$, or $99$, or $9$. Additionally, we need $n+6$ to be a factor of $9999$ but not $999$, $99$, or $9$. Indeed, $297$ satisfies these requirements.

See Also

2016 AMC 12B (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 21
Followed by
Problem 23
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions

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