BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

What is the units digit of 248^20?

Expert replies
by Gmat_mission » Mon Jun 18, 2018 2:11 am

Timer

00:00

Answers

A

B

C

D

E

Stats

Difficulty

What is the units digit of 248^20?

A. 0
B. 2
C. 4
D. 6
E. 8

[spoiler]OA=D[/spoiler].

How can I determine the correct answer in an easy and fast way? Could anyone give me some help? Please.
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

by Vincen » Mon Jun 18, 2018 3:08 am
Hello Gmat_mission.

Let's take a look at your question.

First, let's rewrite the number 248 as follows $$248=2\cdot124=2\cdot2\cdot62=2\cdot2\cdot2\cdot31=2^3\cdot31.$$ Now, replacing this into the given expression we get $$\left(2^3\cdot31.\right)^{20}=2^{60}\cdot31^{20}.$$ Now, we can see that the units digit of the powers of 2 are:

2^1 = 2
2^2 = 4
2^3 = 8
2^4 = 6
2^5 = 2
2^6 = 4
2^7 = 8
2^8 = 6
.
.
.

Hence, when the power is a multiple of 4 the units digit is 6. Since 60 is a multiple of 4, then the units digit of 2^60 is 6.

On the other hand, the units digit of the powers of 31 are:

31^1 = 1
31^2 = 1
31^3 = 1
.
.
.

It is always equal to 1.

Therefore, the units digit of (2^60)*(31^20) is equal to 6*1=6.

Hence, the correct answer is the option [spoiler]D=6[/spoiler].

I hope it can help you.
Join the discussion

by GMATGuruNY » Mon Jun 18, 2018 3:19 am
Gmat_mission wrote:What is the units digit of 248^20?

A. 0
B. 2
C. 4
D. 6
E. 8
When 8 is raised to consecutive powers, the unit digit repeat in a CYCLE OF 4:
8¹ --> units digit of 8.
8² --> units digit of 4. (Since the product of the preceding units digit and 8 = 8*8 = 64.)
8³ --> units digit of 2. (Since the product of the preceding units digit and 8 = 4*8 = 32.)
8� --> units digit of 6. (Since the product of the preceding units digit and 8 = 2*8 = 16.)
From here, the units digits will repeat in the same pattern: 8, 4, 2, 6.
Thus, the units digit repeat in a CYCLE OF 4.
Implication:
When an integer with a units digit of 8 is raised to a power that is a multiple of 4, the units digit will be 6.
Since 248²� has a units of 8 and an exponent that is a multiple of 4, the units digit = 6.

The correct answer is D.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Join the discussion

by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Wed Jun 20, 2018 4:05 pm
Gmat_mission wrote:What is the units digit of 248^20?

A. 0
B. 2
C. 4
D. 6
E. 8
We need to determine the units digit of 248^20, which is the same as the units digit of 8^20.

Let's determine the pattern of units digits for 8 raised to positive integer powers.

8^1 = 8 so units digit is 8

8^2 = 64 so units digit is 4

8^3 = 512 so units digit is 2

8^4 = 4096 so units digit is 6

Thus, we see that a base of 8 has a units digit pattern of 8-4-2-6, so when a base of 8 is raised to a power that is a multiple of 4, the units digit is 6.

Since 20 is a multiple of 4, 8^20, has a units digit of 6.

Answer: D

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]

Image

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews

ImageImage
Join the discussion