2017 AIME I Problems/Problem 5

Problem 5

A rational number written in base eight is $\underline{ab} . \underline{cd}$ , where all digits are nonzero. The same number in base twelve is $\underline{bb} . \underline{ba}$ . Find the base-ten number $\underline{abc}$ .

Solution

First, note that the first two digits will always be a positive number. We will start with base twelve because of its repetition. List all the positive numbers in base twelve that have equal twelves and ones digits in base 8.

$11_{12}=15_8$

$22_{12}=32_8$

$33_{12}=47_8$

$44_{12}=64_8$

$55_{12}=101_8$

We stop because we only can have two-digit numbers in base 8 and 101 is not a 2 digit number. Compare the ones places to check if they are equal. We find that they are equal if $b=2$ or $b=4$ . Evaluating the places to the right side of the decimal point gives us $22.23_{12}$ or $44.46_{12}$ . When the numbers are converted into base 8, we get $32.14_8$ and $64.30_8$ . Since $d\neq0$ , the first value is correct. Compiling the necessary digits leaves us a final answer of $\boxed{321}$

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2017 AIME I Problems/Problem 5

Problem 5

Solution