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2003 AIME I Problems/Problem 1

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Problem

Given that

\frac{((3!)!)!}{3!} = k \cdot n!,

where k and n are positive integers and n is as large as possible, find k + n.

Solution

We use the definition of a factorial to get

\frac{((3!)!)!}{3!} = \frac{(6!)!}{3!} = \frac{720!}{3!} = \frac{720!}{6} = \frac{720 \cdot 719!}{6} = 120 \cdot 719! = k \cd...

We certainly can't make n any larger if k is going to stay an integer, so the answer is k + n = 120 + 719 = \boxed{839}.

See also

2003 AIME I (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
First Question
Followed by
Problem 2
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
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