1987 AMC 8 Problem 19

Attempt Problem 19 of the 1987 AMC 8 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 1987 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

19.

A calculator has a squaring key x2\boxed{x^2} that replaces the number currently displayed with its square. For example, if the display reads 003\boxed{\phantom{00}3} and x2\boxed{x^2} is pressed, the display becomes 009.\boxed{\phantom{00}9}. If the display reads 002,\boxed{\phantom{00}2}, how many times must x2\boxed{x^2} be pressed to produce a displayed number greater than 500?500?
44
55
88
99
250250
Answer: A
Concepts:exponent
Small hint:
Starting from 2,2, each press squares the number: 2,2, 4,4, 16,16, 256,256, …\ldots
Big hint:
Find the first term in that list that exceeds 500500
Solution:
Pressing the key repeatedly gives 2→4→16→256→65536.2 \to 4 \to 16 \to 256 \to 65536.
Since 256<500<65536,256 \lt 500 \lt 65536, the display first exceeds 500500 on the fourth press.
Thus, the correct answer is A .
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