integer whose digits add up to 2

This topic has expert replies
Source: — Problem Solving |

Legendary Member
Posts: 1337
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 6:29 pm
Thanked: 127 times
Followed by:10 members

by Night reader » Thu Mar 17, 2011 5:27 pm
10^21 is 22-digit number we can have digit "1" at the beginning of each starting number than accordingly digit "1" afterwards - in trillions, millions, tens :)
In 22-digit number we can have 22 "1"s //likewise in 100 we can have 110 101, we deduce only 2 numbers possible to have digits summed up to 2// hence here the number of integers is 21
next we have 21-digit number --> 20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
...
we notice sequence (21,20,... 1) the sum of sequence is [(1+21)/2]*21=231

IOM E

i spent 60 sec. really
kris610 wrote:How many integers between 1 and 10^21 are such that the sum of their digits is 2?

A 190

B 210

C 211

D 230

E 231

E

Best approach to solve this in < 2 mins?
My knowledge frontiers came to evolve the GMATPill's methods - the credited study means to boost the Verbal competence. I really like their videos, especially for RC, CR and SC. You do check their study methods at https://www.gmatpill.com

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3835
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:00 pm
Location: Milpitas, CA
Thanked: 1854 times
Followed by:523 members
GMAT Score:770

by Anurag@Gurome » Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:34 pm
kris610 wrote:How many integers between 1 and 10^21 are such that the sum of their digits is 2?

A 190
B 210
C 211
D 230
E 231
The integer must be composed of any one of the following formats,
  • 1. Two 1's and rest zero
    2. One 2 and rest zero
And the integer can have at most 21 digits.

Therefore, number of such integers = (Number of ways to put one 2 in any of the 21 places) + (Number of ways to put two 1's in any two of the 21 places)

Now, number of ways to put one 2 in any of the 21 places = 21
And, number of ways to put two 1's in any two of the 21 places = 21*20/2 = 210

(This is because first 1 can be placed at any of the 21 positions and second 1 can be placed at any of the remaining 20 positions. Now there will be a copy of each of the combination as two 1's are identical. Hence divide by 2)

Therefore, number of such integers = 21 + 210 = 231

The correct answer is E.
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)

Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/