2017 AMC 10A Problem 20

Attempt Problem 20 of the 2017 AMC 10A below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2017 AMC 10A solutions, or check the answer key.

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20.

Let S(n)S(n) equal the sum of the digits of positive integer n.n. For example, S(1507)=13.S(1507) = 13. For a particular positive integer n,n, S(n)=1274.S(n) = 1274.

Which of the following could be the value of S(n+1)?S(n+1)?

11

33

1212

12391239

12651265

Answer: D
Concepts:digitsmodular arithmetic
Difficulty rating: 1480
Solution:

Recall that a number is divisible by 99 if and only if the sum of its digits is also divisible by 9.9.

This means that looking at S(n)S(n) mod 99 would also give us nn mod 9.9.

Let us prove this. If we add xx to nn without carrying, it is clear that the sum of the digits increases by xx and that nn itself increases by x.x.

This would increase both their values mod 99 by x.x.

Now, if it does carry, we would be subtracting 1010 from some digit and adding on 11 to the next digit.

This would keep the value mod 99 constant. We did, however, add xx in there, so the value mod 99 still increased by x.x.

These are the only two cases, and in both we have shown that the value mod 99 for both nn and S(n)S(n) increased by x.x.

Therefore, we have that nS(n)5(mod9). n \equiv S(n) \equiv 5 \pmod 9.

From this, we can see that n+16S(n+1)(mod9). \begin{aligned} n + 1 &\equiv 6 \\ &\equiv S(n + 1) \pmod 9. \end{aligned}

The only answer choice that leaves a remainder of 66 when divided by 99 is 1239.1239.

This value is attainable. Take nn to consist of 137137 digits 9,9, followed by a digit 5,5, followed by four more digits 9.9. Then S(n)=1379+5+49=1274.\begin{aligned}S(n)&=137\cdot9+5+4\cdot9\\&=1274.\end{aligned} Adding 11 changes the final four 99s to 00s and changes the 55 to 6,6, so S(n+1)=1379+6=1239.S(n+1)=137\cdot9+6=1239.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

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