Difference between revisions of "1998 AIME Problems/Problem 1"

 
(AIME 1998 #1)
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== Problem ==
 
== Problem ==
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For how many values of <math>\displaystyle k</math> is <math>\displaystyle 12^{12}</math> the [[least common multiple]] of the positive integers <math>6^6</math> and <math>8^8</math>?
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== Solution ==
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It is evident that <math>\displaystyle k</math> has only 2s and 3s in its prime factorization, or <math>\displaystyle k = 2^a3^b</math>.
  
== Solution ==
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*<math>\displaystyle 6^6 = 2^6\cdot3^6</math>
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*<math>\displaystyle 8^8 = 2^24</math>
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*<math>\displaystyle 12^{12} = 2^{24}\cdot3^{12}</math>
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The lcm of any numbers an be found by writing out their factorizations and taking the greatest power for each factor. The <math>\displaystyle lcm(6^6,8^8) = 2^{24}3^6</math>. Therefore <math>\displaystyle 12^{12} = 2^{24}\cdot3^{12} = lcm(2^{24}3^6,2^a3^b) = 2^{max(24,a)}3^{max(6,b)}</math>, and <math>b \displaystyle  = 12</math>.  Since <math>0 \le \displaystyle a \le 24</math>, there are <math>\displaystyle 025</math> values of <math>\displaystyle k</math>.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
* [[1998 AIME Problems]]
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{{AIME box|year=1986|before=First question|num-a=2}}

Revision as of 16:42, 7 September 2007

Problem

For how many values of $\displaystyle k$ is $\displaystyle 12^{12}$ the least common multiple of the positive integers $6^6$ and $8^8$?

Solution

It is evident that $\displaystyle k$ has only 2s and 3s in its prime factorization, or $\displaystyle k = 2^a3^b$.

  • $\displaystyle 6^6 = 2^6\cdot3^6$
  • $\displaystyle 8^8 = 2^24$
  • $\displaystyle 12^{12} = 2^{24}\cdot3^{12}$

The lcm of any numbers an be found by writing out their factorizations and taking the greatest power for each factor. The $\displaystyle lcm(6^6,8^8) = 2^{24}3^6$. Therefore $\displaystyle 12^{12} = 2^{24}\cdot3^{12} = lcm(2^{24}3^6,2^a3^b) = 2^{max(24,a)}3^{max(6,b)}$, and $b \displaystyle  = 12$. Since $0 \le \displaystyle a \le 24$, there are $\displaystyle 025$ values of $\displaystyle k$.

See also

1986 AIME (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
First question
Followed by
Problem 2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
All AIME Problems and Solutions