Calculating M and the Unit Digit of M^2003

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter anemone
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Unit
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the value of $$M$$ defined as $$M=\frac{3x-1}{1+x}-\frac{\sqrt{\mid x\mid-2}+\sqrt{2-\mid x \mid}}{\mid 2-x \mid}$$ and determining the unit digit of $$M^{2003}$$. By substituting $$x = -2$$, it is established that $$M = 7$$. The unit digit of $$M^{2003}$$ is calculated using modular arithmetic, resulting in a final unit digit of 3.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of real numbers and absolute values
  • Knowledge of modular arithmetic, specifically modulo 10
  • Familiarity with square roots and their properties
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills
NEXT STEPS
  • Study modular exponentiation techniques
  • Explore properties of absolute values in algebraic expressions
  • Learn about the implications of square roots in real number calculations
  • Investigate advanced algebraic functions and their behaviors
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students studying algebra, and anyone interested in solving complex mathematical expressions and modular arithmetic problems.

anemone
Gold Member
MHB
POTW Director
Messages
3,851
Reaction score
115
Let $$x$$ be a real number and let $$M=\frac{3x-1}{1+x}-\frac{\sqrt{\mid x\mid-2}+\sqrt{2-\mid x \mid}}{\mid 2-x \mid}$$.

Find $$M$$ and also the unit digit of $$M^{2003}$$.
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
anemone said:
Let $$x$$ be a real number and let $$M=\frac{3x-1}{1+x}-\frac{\sqrt{\mid x\mid-2}+\sqrt{2-\mid x \mid}}{\mid 2-x \mid}$$.

Find $$M$$ and also the unit digit of $$M^{2003}$$.
Just a moment and I'll have it. I just have to program Excel...

-Dan
 
anemone said:
Let $$x$$ be a real number and let $$M=\frac{3x-1}{1+x}-\frac{\sqrt{\mid x\mid-2}+\sqrt{2-\mid x \mid}}{\mid 2-x \mid}$$.

Find $$M$$ and also the unit digit of $$M^{2003}$$.

We are taking square root of |x| - 2 and its –ve so it has to be zero
So |x| - 2 = 0 or x = 2 or – 2
x cannot be 2 as |2-x| is in denominator
so x = - 2
hence putting the value x = -2 we get M = 7
as M^4 = 1 mod 10
M^2000 = 1 mod 10 or M^2003 = M^3 mod 10 = 343 mod 10 or 3
3 is the unit digit
 
kaliprasad said:
We are taking square root of |x| - 2 and its –ve so it has to be zero
So |x| - 2 = 0 or x = 2 or – 2
x cannot be 2 as |2-x| is in denominator
so x = - 2
hence putting the value x = -2 we get M = 7
as M^4 = 1 mod 10
M^2000 = 1 mod 10 or M^2003 = M^3 mod 10 = 343 mod 10 or 3
3 is the unit digit

Hi kaliprasad,

Thanks for taking the time to participate in this challenge problem and I can tell how much you enjoyed working with some of the problems that I posted here and in case if you have any interesting mathematics problems to share with us, please feel free to do so! :o:p

topsquark said:
Just a moment and I'll have it. I just have to program Excel...

-Dan

Hi Dan,

Thank you for the reply and you know what, you're one of the clever $$\cap$$ humorous member at MHB!:cool:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
3K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
526