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2008 AMC 10A Problem 24

Problem 24 of 25HarderNumber Theory

Let k=20082+22008.k = 2008^2 + 2^{2008}. What is the units digit of k2+2k?k^2 + 2^k?

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Solution

The units digit of 2n2^n cycles 2,4,8,6,2, 4, 8, 6, so 220082^{2008} ends in 6.6. Also 200822008^2 ends in 4.4. Thus kk ends in 0,0, so k2k^2 ends in 0.0. Both 200822008^2 and 220082^{2008} are multiples of 4,4, so k0(mod4),k \equiv 0 \pmod 4, which makes 2k2^k end in 6.6. The units digit of k2+2kk^2 + 2^k is 0+6=6.0 + 6 = 6. Thus, the correct answer is D.

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Concepts: units digit · modular arithmetic · pattern recognition

Problem text and solution from the LIVE past-contest archive. See also the AoPS wiki page for community solutions.