What Are the Last Two Digits of the Sum of Factorials from 7! to 2016!?

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SUMMARY

The problem of determining the last two digits of the sum of factorials from 7! to 2016! has been addressed in the latest Problem of the Week (POTW). The correct solution was provided by forum members topsquark, kaliprasad, and lfdahl. The key to solving this problem lies in recognizing that for n ≥ 10, n! ends with at least two zeros, thus contributing nothing to the last two digits of the overall sum. Therefore, the calculation simplifies to finding the last two digits of 7!, 8!, and 9! only.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of factorial notation and calculations
  • Basic knowledge of modular arithmetic
  • Familiarity with properties of numbers ending in zeros
  • Ability to perform calculations with large integers
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the last two digits of 7!, 8!, and 9! explicitly
  • Explore the concept of trailing zeros in factorials
  • Learn about modular arithmetic techniques for large sums
  • Investigate the behavior of factorial growth and its implications on digit sums
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, students studying combinatorics, and anyone interested in number theory and factorial properties will benefit from this discussion.

anemone
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Here is this week's POTW:

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What are the last two digits in $7! + 8! + 9! + ... + 2016 !$?

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Remember to read the http://www.mathhelpboards.com/showthread.php?772-Problem-of-the-Week-%28POTW%29-Procedure-and-Guidelines to find out how to http://www.mathhelpboards.com/forms.php?do=form&fid=2!
 
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Congratulations to the following members for their correct solution::)

1. topsquark
2. kaliprasad
3. lfdahl

Solution from topsquark:
Since 10!, ... , 2016! are all multiples of 100 all we need to worry about are 7!, 8!, and 9! for the last two digits. Since 7! + 8! + 9! = 7! (1 + 8 + 8*9) = 5040*81 we have [math]5040 \cdot 81 \equiv 40 \cdot 81 \equiv 3240 \equiv 40 \text{ mod(100)}[/math] the last two digits must be 40.

(Or you could just calculate 7! + 8! + 9! = 408240.)
 

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