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2003 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 20

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Problem20

A base-10 three digit number n is selected at random. Which of the following is closest to the probability that the base-9 representation and the base-11 representation of n are both thee-digit numerals?

\mathrm{(A) \ } 0.3\qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } 0.4\qquad \mathrm{(C) \ } 0.5\qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } 0.6\qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } 0.7

Solution

To be a three digit number in base-10:

10^{2} \leq n \leq 10^{3}-1

100 \leq n \leq 999

Thus there are 900 three-digit numbers in base-10

To be a three-digit number in base-9:

9^{2} \leq n \leq 9^{3}-1

81 \leq n \leq 728

To be a three-digit number in base-11:

11^{2} \leq n \leq 11^{3}-1

121 \leq n \leq 1330

So, 121 \leq n \leq 728

Thus, there are 608 base-10 three-digit numbers that are three digit numbers in base-9 and base-11.

Therefore the desired probability is \frac{608}{900}\approx 0.7 \Rightarrow E.

See Also

2003 AMC 10A (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 19
Followed by
Problem 21
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