confused

This topic has expert replies
User avatar
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2013 12:52 am

confused

by sgr21 » Mon Apr 14, 2014 1:41 am
What is the unit's digit of 7^{75}+6?

(A) 1
(B) 3
(C) 5
(D) 7
(E) 9

the answer i get is 1 bt some of my friends got their answer as 9

helppp plzzzz

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2014 2:13 am
Thanked: 12 times

by Tushar14 » Mon Apr 14, 2014 2:06 am
As 75=4*18+3 then the last digit of 7^{75} is the same as the last digit of 7^3, which is 3. Units digit of 7^{75} + 6 will be: 3 plus 6 = 9.

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
Followed by:511 members
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Mon Apr 14, 2014 11:18 am
Hi sgr21,

The GMAT doesn't expect you to calculate the value of 7^75; instead, let's try to figure out the pattern behind this math....

The question asks for the UNITS DIGIT, so we'll focus on that...

7^1 = 7
7^2 = 49
7^3 = 343
7^4 = ends in a 1

7^5 = ends in a 7
7^6 = ends in a 9
etc.

The pattern is 7931 7931 7931 etc.

So the units digit will follow this repeating pattern of 4 digits...

75/4 = 18r3

Thus, the 75th number will be the "third number" in the pattern...a 3

The question asks us to ADD 6 to this number though....

3+6 = 9

Final Answer: E

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image