Basic Number Theory

Let n be a five digit number (whose first digit is non-zero) and let m be the four digit number formed from n by removing its middle digit. Determine the smallest value of n such that n m \frac{n}{m} is an integer.

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The answer is 10000.

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3 solutions

Brock Brown
Feb 11, 2015

Python:

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for n in xrange(10000,100000):
    s = str(n)
    m = int(s[0:2]+s[3:5])
    if n % m == 0:
        print "Answer:", n
        break

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bit of common sense
smallest possible 5-digit integer is 10000
remove the middle digit: 1000
It's obvious that 10000/1000 is an integer

Let n = 10000 a + 1000 b + 100 c + 10 d + e n=10000a+1000b+100c+10d+e and m = 1000 a + 100 b + 10 d + e m=1000a+100b+10d+e , where a , b , c , d , a, b, c, d, and e e are base-10 digits and a 0 a \neq 0 . If n m \frac{n}{m} is an integer, then m n m|n , or

1000 a + 100 b + 10 d + e 10000 a + 1000 b + 100 c + 10 d + e 1000a+100b+10d+e|10000a+1000b+100c+10d+e .

This implies that

1000 a + 100 b + 10 d + e 9000 a + 900 b + 100 c 1000a+100b+10d+e|9000a+900b+100c .

Clearly we have that 8 ( 1000 a + 100 b + 10 d + e ) < 9000 a + 900 b + 100 c < 10 ( 1000 a + 100 b + 10 d + e ) 8(1000a+100b+10d+e) \\<9000a+900b+100c \\<10(1000a+100b+10d+e) , as a p a \geq p . therefore n m \frac{n}{m} must be equal to 9 9 , and

9000 a + 900 b + 90 d + 9 e = 9000 a + 900 b + 100 c 9000a+900b+90d+9e=9000a+900b+100c .

This simplifies to 90 d + 9 e = 100 c 90d+9e=100c . The only way that this could happen is that c = 0 c=0 . Then d = e = 0 d=e=0 . Therefore the only values of n n such that n m \frac{n}{m} is an integer are multiples of 1000 1000 . And therefore the least value is 10000 10000 .

but n is 5 digit number.How can it be 1000?It should be 10000 in my opinion. Sorry, if I am wrong.

Deeksha Maheshwari - 6 years, 5 months ago

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Yeah sorry miss, the answer is the smallest multiple of 1000 that is of 5 digits, i.e 10000. Thanks for pointing out my mistake, I've edited it.

A Former Brilliant Member - 6 years, 5 months ago

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Thanks. I have updated the answer to 10000.

As the problem creator, you can report that "The answer is incorrect", and state what the correct answer should be (preferably along with an explanation), and it will be updated it accordingly.

Note: This problem would be more interesting if we were to find the largest value n n .

Calvin Lin Staff - 6 years, 5 months ago

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@Calvin Lin Thnx for editing sir, and since I am new to Brilliant , would you be more specific sir on where to report , for my answer to be corrected. Thank you sir for the same.

And sir as for the largest number n n possible , I'll soon star working on it, thanks for the idea sir

A Former Brilliant Member - 6 years, 5 months ago

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@A Former Brilliant Member Welcome to Brilliant!

To report a problem, click on the dot dot dot menu in the lower right corner, and select report. You can then explain the issues that you are having with the problem.

Calvin Lin Staff - 6 years, 5 months ago

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@Calvin Lin Thank you sir. And sorry for the late response, I only noticed your reply today.

Wish you a happy New Year sir .

A Former Brilliant Member - 6 years, 5 months ago

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@A Former Brilliant Member No worries. and with notifications (top right corner on desktop view), it is now much easier to find replies and comments :)

Happy new year!

Calvin Lin Staff - 6 years, 5 months ago

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