Two Similar Problems

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Two Similar Problems

by knight247 » Wed Aug 03, 2011 5:18 am
1. How many three digit numbers 'n' are there which are divisible by 9 so that both n and n^2 have the same units digit?
a.20
b.21
c.22
d.23
e.24

I figured out the number of 3 digit multiples of 9 using the formula
Total=(Biggest-Smallest)/Increment+1=(999-108)/9+1=100

Also figured out that for n and n^2 to have the same units digit the numbers would have to end in 5 or 6 eg 36, 45 etc....Just not able to move ahead from here. Detailed explanations would be appreciated

2. How many three digit numbers 'n' are there which are divisible by 9 so that both n and n^2 leave the same remainer when divided by 10?
a.20
b.21
c.22
d.23
e.24

I know that whenever a non-multiple of 10 is divided by 10 the remainder is always the units digit.
Once u figure that out...Its the same as the previous problem.
Source: — Problem Solving |

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by tpr-becky » Wed Aug 03, 2011 7:43 am
First Problem

I got an answer that was not in the choices.

To determine if a number is divisible by 9 you add the digits - if the sum is divisible by 9 then the entire number is divisible by 9. If n and n^2 have the same units digit that means the square of the units digit will be the same (this will happen with 0, 1, 5 and 6).

Now we want to be methodical - if the units digit is 0 and the sum of the digits is divisible by 9 we need the other two digits to add to 9 or 18. Be methodical.

If the units digit is 0
Could be 900, 810, 180, 720, 270, 630, 360, or could be 990, 450 or 540 (10 different numbers)

If the units digit is 1
could be 801, 711, 171, 621, 261, 531, 351, 441, or 891, 981 (10 numbers)

If units digit is 5
Could be 405, 315, 135, 225 or 945, 495, 855, 585, 765, 675 ( 10 numbers)

If units digit is 6
could be 306, 216, 126 or 936, 396, 846, 486, 756, 576, 666 ( 10 numbers)

Thus there are 40 numbers (looks like the answer only looked at the numbers that add to 9 - which would be 22)
Last edited by tpr-becky on Wed Aug 03, 2011 8:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
Becky
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by gmatboost » Wed Aug 03, 2011 8:26 am
Hi,

I agree with Becky, except that there are two more possibilities: 450 and 540.
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by tpr-becky » Wed Aug 03, 2011 8:41 am
I agree - sorry I missed those two.
Becky
Master GMAT Instructor
The Princeton Review
Irvine, CA