Art of Problem Solving

2007 iTest Problems/Problem 11: Difference between revisions

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Solution to Problem 11
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== Problem 11 ==
== Problem 11 ==
Consider the "tower of power" <math>2^{2^{2^{\cdot^{\cdot^\cdot^{2}}}}}</math>, where there are 2007 twos including the base. What is the last (units digit) of this number?
Consider the "tower of power" <math>2^{2^{2^{\cdot^{\cdot^{\cdot^{2}}}}}}</math>, where there are 2007 twos including the base. What is the last (units digit) of this number?


<math>\text{(A) }0\qquad
<math>\text{(A) }0\qquad
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== Solution ==
== Solution ==
Note that <math>2^1 = 2</math>, <math>2^2 = 4</math>, <math>2^3 = 8</math>, <math>2^4 = 16</math>, and <math>2^5 = 32</math>.  The units digit of <math>2^n</math> cycle every time <math>n</math> is increased by <math>4</math>.
Since <math>2^{2^{2^{\cdot^{\cdot^{\cdot^{2}}}}}}</math> with <math>2006</math> twos is a multiple of four, the units digit is <math>\boxed{\textbf{(G) }6}</math>.

Revision as of 03:26, 10 June 2018

Problem 11

Consider the "tower of power" $2^{2^{2^{\cdot^{\cdot^{\cdot^{2}}}}}}$, where there are 2007 twos including the base. What is the last (units digit) of this number?

$\text{(A) }0\qquad \text{(B) }1\qquad \text{(C) }2\qquad \text{(D) }3\qquad \text{(E) }4\qquad \text{(F) }5\qquad \text{(G) }6\qquad \text{(H) }7\qquad \text{(I) }8\qquad \text{(J) }9\qquad \text{(K) }2007\qquad$

Solution

Note that $2^1 = 2$, $2^2 = 4$, $2^3 = 8$, $2^4 = 16$, and $2^5 = 32$. The units digit of $2^n$ cycle every time $n$ is increased by $4$.

Since $2^{2^{2^{\cdot^{\cdot^{\cdot^{2}}}}}}$ with $2006$ twos is a multiple of four, the units digit is $\boxed{\textbf{(G) }6}$.