What is the Relationship Between Factorials and Unit Digits?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between factorials and unit digits, specifically focusing on the expression for 100! in the form N·10^n, where N is relatively prime to 10. Participants are tasked with determining the sum of n and the unit digit d of N.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the method of finding the index power of 10 in 100! and discuss the factors contributing to this power. There are attempts to analyze the multiples of 10 and the remaining even and odd factors, as well as considerations of potential methods to simplify the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various approaches to calculating the number of trailing zeros in 100! and the implications for the unit digit of N. Some participants express uncertainty about the methods and seek clarification, while others provide insights into the calculations and reasoning involved. There is no explicit consensus on a single approach, but several productive lines of reasoning are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity of the problem and the potential for tedious calculations, as well as the importance of not missing any factors in their reasoning. There are references to specific groups of numbers and their contributions to the overall product, which may affect the final outcome.

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Homework Statement


Let ##100!=N\cdot 10^n##. If N is relatively prime with 10 and unit digit of N is d, then n+d is equal to
A)26
B)28
C)30
D)32


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I don't think it would be a good idea to expand the factorial and separately write out the factors of 10. I have got no idea about how to approach this problem.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
 
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Pranav-Arora said:

Homework Statement


Let ##100!=N\cdot 10^n##. If N is relatively prime with 10 and unit digit of N is d, then n+d is equal to
A)26
B)28
C)30
D)32

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


I don't think it would be a good idea to expand the factorial and separately write out the factors of 10. I have got no idea about how to approach this problem.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

I may not be an expert but can you find index power of 10 in 100! ? You must be knowing the method of finding that. Many good course materials like "Vidyamandir" and RSM illustrate that.
 
Last edited:
Pranav-Arora said:

Homework Statement


Let ##100!=N\cdot 10^n##. If N is relatively prime with 10 and unit digit of N is d, then n+d is equal to
A)26
B)28
C)30
D)32

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


I don't think it would be a good idea to expand the factorial and separately write out the factors of 10. I have got no idea about how to approach this problem.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

In 100!, the multiples of 10 are 10,20,30,...,90, 100, so figuring out what power of 10 these produce is easy. Next, look at all the remaining even factors (2,4,6,8,12,...,18,22...,98) and all the remaining multiples of 5 (5,15,25,35,...,95). Some of these combine to give you factors 2*5 = 10, etc.
 
Ray Vickson said:
In 100!, the multiples of 10 are 10,20,30,...,90, 100, so figuring out what power of 10 these produce is easy. Next, look at all the remaining even factors (2,4,6,...,98) and all the remaining multiples of 5 (5,15,25,35,...,95). Some of these combine to give you factors 2*5 = 10, etc.

I had thought of this earlier but wouldn't that be a bit tedious? This is a question from my test paper and I suppose there is a easier way. If I go by this method and if I miss even a single factor, I will end up with a wrong answer.
 
The numbers from 1-9 produce one zero at the end (2*5). So do the numbers from 11 to 19 (12*15), and so on: 10 zeros.
The product of 10, 20 ... 100 produce 12 zeros. (100 and 20*50 have to extra zeros)

Can you increase the number of zeros further at the end of 100! ?

The remaining numbers are 1,3,46,7,8,9 (mod 10) What is the last number of their product?
edit: 4 has been left out.

You have 10 such groups...

ehild
 
Last edited:
ehild said:
The numbers from 1-9 produce one zero at the end (2*5). So do the numbers from 11 to 19 (12*15), and so on: 10 zeros.
The product of 10, 20 ... 100 produce 12 zeros. (100 and 20*50 have to extra zeros)

Can you increase the number of zeros further at the end of 100! ?

The remaining numbers are 1,3,6,7,8,9 (mod 10) What is the last number of their product?

You have 10 such groups...

ehild

From the 10 groups we have 2 zeroes from the groups: 21-29 and 71-79. This gives us a total of 24 zeroes.

The last digit of the product of numbers is 2.
This gives n+d=26.

Thanks a lot ehild! :smile:

EDIT: Woops, the unit digit of product of those numbers is 2. There are 10 groups so the unit digit of N is the unit digit of 2^(10) i.e. 4. Hence, the answer is 28.
 
Last edited:
Pranav-Arora said:
From the 10 groups we have 2 zeroes from the groups: 21-29 and 71-79. This gives us a total of 24 zeroes.

The last digit of the product of numbers is 2.
This gives n+d=26.

Thanks a lot ehild! :smile:

EDIT: Woops, the unit digit of product of those numbers is 2. There are 10 groups so the unit digit of N is the unit digit of 2^(10) i.e. 4. Hence, the answer is 28.

I left out 4 from the remaining numbers... So the last digit of the product 1*3*4*6*7*8*9 is 8, but it is -2 mod 10, and its 10th power is 4 mod 10, so the result is the same.

ehild
 
ehild said:
I left out 4 from the remaining numbers... So the last digit of the product 1*3*4*6*7*8*9 is 8, but it is -2 mod 10, and its 10th power is 4 mod 10, so the result is the same.

ehild

Thanks once again ehild! :smile:


Although I don't understand that modulo arithmetic notation. :-p [/size]
 
Pranav-Arora said:
Although I don't understand that modulo arithmetic notation. :-p [/size]

4+10k, k integer:biggrin:
 

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