Question

There are unique integers $a_2, a_3, a_4, a_5, a_6, a_7$ such that

$\begin{aligned} &\frac{5}{7} = \frac{a_2}{2!} + \frac{a_3}{3!} + \frac{a_4}{4!} \\ &\quad {}+ \frac{a_5}{5!} + \frac{a_6}{6!} + \frac{a_7}{7!}, \end{aligned}$

where $0 \le a_i \lt i$ for $i = 2, 3, \ldots, 7.$ Find $a_2 + a_3 + a_4 + a_5 + a_6 + a_7.$

$8$

$9$

$10$

$11$

$12$

Answer: B

Concepts:number base factorial modular arithmetic

Difficulty rating: 2030

Solution:

Multiplying by $7! = 5040$ gives $\begin{aligned} &3600 = 2520a_2 + 840a_3 \\ &\quad {}+ 210a_4 + 42a_5 \\ &\quad {}+ 7a_6 + a_7. \end{aligned}$ Reducing modulo $7,$ $a_7 = 2.$

Then $\dfrac{3600 - 2}{7} = 514$ $= 360a_2 + 120a_3$ $+ 30a_4 + 6a_5$ $+ a_6.$ Reducing modulo $6$ gives $a_6 = 4,$ and continuing this way yields $a_5 = 0, a_4 = 1, a_3 = 1, a_2 = 1.$

The sum is $1 + 1 + 1 + 0 + 4 + 2 = 9.$

Thus, the correct answer is B.

1999 AMC 12 Problem 25

Answer: B

Difficulty rating: 2030

Solution:

Problem 25 in Other Years