Brian Galvin- Prime factors

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Brian Galvin- Prime factors

by dodgeforgmat » Wed Jul 20, 2011 2:05 am
Brian Galvin posted this on BTG to explain the importance of breaking complex numbers into their prime factors.
While I totally endorse what he has to say, I am not convinced on the answer to the question he used as an example. Here is my attempt to solve the problem and would request for advice.

x is the product of each integer from 1 to 50, inclusive and , where k is an integer . What is the greatest value of k for which y is a factor of x?

(A) 0

(B) 5

(C) 6

(D) 10

(E) 12

X is the product of all intergers from 1 to 50 inclusive.
so X = 50!

y=100^k = 10^(k+2)

Number of zero's in X is quotients of each of (50/5)+(50/25) = 10+2 = 12

hence X is of the form ABCD....X 10^12

hence k+2 = 12
k = 10

Option D.

What am I missing?
Source: — Problem Solving |

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by amit2k9 » Wed Jul 20, 2011 2:33 am
50/5 = 10
50/25= 2

thus total zeros in 50! = 12. hence 50!/ 10^12 = integer.

now y= 10^k * 100 hence for k = 10,

y= 10^12 which is the maximum factor for 50!.

thus k = 10.
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