2003 AMC 10A Problem 20

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 20 of the 2003 AMC 10A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2003 AMC 10A solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:number base basic probability counting integers in a range

Difficulty rating: 1660

20.

A base- $10$ three-digit number $n$ is selected at random. Which of the following is closest to the probability that the base- $9$ representation and the base- $11$ representation of $n$ are both three-digit numerals?

$0.3$

$0.4$

$0.5$

$0.6$

$0.7$

Solution:

The largest three-digit base- $9$ number is $9^3 - 1 = 728,$ and the smallest three-digit base- $11$ number is $11^2 = 121.$

So both conditions hold exactly when $121 \le n \le 728,$ giving $608$ integers.

Out of $900$ three-digit numbers, the probability is $\dfrac{608}{900} \approx 0.7.$

Thus, the correct answer is E.

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