If p is a positive integer, what is the units digit of Z, if Z = (1044...
Step 1: Question statement and Inferences
We are given that Z = (1044p + 1) * (277p + 1) * (93p + 2) * (3096p). We have to find the units digit of Z.
Here we can say that:
The unit digit of Z = The units digit of the product of the unit digits of the given numbers
Now, we also know that the unit digit of any power of a number depends only on the unit digit of the number. Thus, we can write the expression as:
Z = (44p + 1) * (7p + 1) * (3p + 2) * (96p)
Step 2: Finding required values
Z = (44p + 1) * (7p + 1) * (3p + 2) * (96p)
Next, let’s find the unit digit of the individual expressions:
Unit digit of 44p + 1:
Every second power of 4 has the same unit digit.
Cycles of powers of 4 are 4, 6, 4, 6 …
So, unit digit of 44p + 1 = 4 (Since 4p + 1 is an odd number and every odd power of 4 has the unit digit as 4)
Unit digit of 96p:
Every second power of 9 has the same unit digit.
Cycles of powers of 9 are 9, 1, 9, 1 …
So, unit digit of 96p = 1 (Since 6p is an even number and every even power of 9 has the unit digit 1)
Now, the cyclicity of the numbers 3 and 7 is 4. So, we can’t decide the unit digit of the expression 3p+2 and 7p+1 since we don’t know the value of p. However, the product of these numbers can be further solved as follows:
7p + 1 * 3p + 2 = 7p + 1 * 3p + 1 * 3
= (7*3)p + 1 * (3) (Since am * bm = (ab)m )
= (21)p + 1 * (3)
Now, we know that the unit digit of the expression 21p+1 will always be 1 since any power of 1 always gives a unit digit 1.
Thus, the unit digit of (21)p + 1 * (3) = 1 * 3 = 3
Step 3: Calculating the final answer
Now, let’s plug in all the values in the expression for Z.
Z = 4 * 3 * 1 = 12
So, the unit digit of Z will be 2.
Answer: Option (A)