Difference between revisions of "1957 AHSME Problems/Problem 38"

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==Solution==
 
==Solution==
The number N can be written as 10a+b with a and b representing the digits. The number N with its digits reversed is 10b+a. Since the problem asks for a positive number as the difference of these two numbers, than a>b. Writing this out, we get 10a+b-(10b+a)=9a-9b=9(a-b). Therefore, the difference must be a multiple of 9, and the only perfect cube with less than 3 digits and is multiple of 9 is 3^3=27. Also, that means a-b=3, and there are 7 possibilities of that, so our answer is <math>\textbf{(D)}</math>
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The number <math>N</math> can be written as <math>10a+b</math> with <math>a</math> and <math>b</math> representing the digits. The number <math>N</math> with its digits reversed is <math>10b+a</math>. Since the problem asks for a positive number as the difference of these two numbers, than <math>a>b</math>. Writing this out, we get <math>10a+b-(10b+a)=9a-9b=9(a-b)</math>. Therefore, the difference must be a multiple of <math>9</math>, and the only perfect cube with less than <math>3</math> digits and is multiple of <math>9</math> is <math>3^3=27</math>. Also, that means <math>a-b=3</math>, and there are <math>7</math> possibilities of that, so our answer is  
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<math>\boxed{\textbf{(D)}}</math> There are exactly <math>7</math> values of <math>N</math>
  
 
==See Also==
 
==See Also==

Revision as of 23:27, 18 June 2019

Solution

The number $N$ can be written as $10a+b$ with $a$ and $b$ representing the digits. The number $N$ with its digits reversed is $10b+a$. Since the problem asks for a positive number as the difference of these two numbers, than $a>b$. Writing this out, we get $10a+b-(10b+a)=9a-9b=9(a-b)$. Therefore, the difference must be a multiple of $9$, and the only perfect cube with less than $3$ digits and is multiple of $9$ is $3^3=27$. Also, that means $a-b=3$, and there are $7$ possibilities of that, so our answer is

$\boxed{\textbf{(D)}}$ There are exactly $7$ values of $N$

See Also

1957 AHSME (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 37
Followed by
Problem 39
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