2008 AMC 12A Problem 15

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 15 of the 2008 AMC 12A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2008 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:units digit modular exponentiation

Difficulty rating: 1740

15.

Let $k = 2008^2 + 2^{2008}.$ What is the units digit of $k^2 + 2^k?$

$0$

$2$

$4$

$6$

$8$

Solution:

The units digit of $2008^2$ is $4.$ Since $2008$ is a multiple of $4,$ the units digit of $2^{2008}$ is $6.$ Thus $k$ has units digit $0,$ and so does $k^2.$

Both $2008^2$ and $2^{2008}$ are multiples of $4,$ so $k$ is a multiple of $4.$ Therefore the units digit of $2^k$ is $6.$

The units digit of $k^2 + 2^k$ is then $0 + 6 = 6.$

Thus, D is the correct answer.

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