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2005 AMC 12B Problem 10

Problem 10 of 25EasierAlgebraNumber TheoryProblem-Solving Techniques

The first term of a sequence is 2005.2005. Each succeeding term is the sum of the cubes of the digits of the previous term. What is the 20052005th term of the sequence?

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Solution

The sequence begins 2005,133,55,250,133,…2005, 133, 55, 250, 133, \ldots since 23+03+03+53=133,2^3 + 0^3 + 0^3 + 5^3 = 133, 13+33+33=55,1^3 + 3^3 + 3^3 = 55, 53+53=250,5^3 + 5^3 = 250, and 23+53+03=133.2^3 + 5^3 + 0^3 = 133. After the initial 2005,2005, the terms cycle through 133,55,250133, 55, 250 with period 3.3. Term nn for n≥2n \ge 2 is the ((n−2) mod 3)((n-2)\bmod 3)th entry of 133,55,250.133, 55, 250. Since 2005−2=2003≡2(mod3),2005 - 2 = 2003 \equiv 2 \pmod 3, the 20052005th term is 250.250. Thus, the correct answer is E.
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