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2025 AMC 12B Problem 4

Problem 4 of 25EasierAlgebraNumber Theory

The value of the two-digit number ab\underline{a}\,\underline{b} in base seven equals the value of the two-digit number ba\underline{b}\,\underline{a} in base nine. What is a+b?a + b?

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Solution

Setting 7a+b=9b+a7a + b = 9b + a gives 6a=8b,6a = 8b, so 3a=4b.3a = 4b. Thus a=4ta=4t and b=3t.b=3t. Because both are base-seven digits and a0,a\ne0, only t=1t=1 works. Hence a=4,b=3,a=4, b=3, and indeed 437=31=349.43_7 = 31 = 34_9. Therefore a+b=7.a+b=7. Thus, the correct answer is A.

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Concepts: number base · linear equation

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