2015 AMC 12A Problem 15

Below is the professionally curated solution for Problem 15 of the 2015 AMC 12A, from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2015 AMC 12A solutions, or check the answer key.

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Concepts:decimal prime factorization

Difficulty rating: 1800

15.

What is the minimum number of digits to the right of the decimal point needed to express the fraction $\dfrac{123456789}{2^{26}\cdot 5^4}$ as a decimal?

$4$

$22$

$26$

$30$

$104$

Solution:

The numerator and denominator share no common factors. To write the fraction as a decimal, rewrite it with a power of $10$ in the denominator; the smallest that works is $10^{26}:$ $\dfrac{123456789}{2^{26}\cdot 5^4} = \dfrac{123456789\cdot 5^{22}}{10^{26}}.$

Since the numerator $123456789\cdot 5^{22}$ is not divisible by $10,$ the decimal has exactly $26$ places after the point.

Thus, the correct answer is C.

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