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Number theory Difficulty 7.0 National Olympiad, round 2 Prove it Croatia

Find all three-digit positive integers nn for which the numbers nn and n2n^2 coincide in the last three digits. (AIME 2014)

Solution

Let nn be a three-digit positive integer such that the last three digits of n2n^2 are the same as those of nn. This means n2n(mod1000)n^2 \equiv n \pmod{1000}.

So, n2n0(mod1000)n^2 - n \equiv 0 \pmod{1000}, or n(n1)0(mod1000)n(n-1) \equiv 0 \pmod{1000}.

Since nn and n1n-1 are consecutive integers, they are coprime. Therefore, 1000=23531000 = 2^3 \cdot 5^3 must divide either nn or n1n-1.

Case 1: n0(mod1000)n \equiv 0 \pmod{1000}
But nn is a three-digit integer, so 100n999100 \leq n \leq 999, so n=1000n = 1000 is not possible.

Case 2: n10(mod1000)n-1 \equiv 0 \pmod{1000}
Then n=1001n = 1001, which is not a three-digit integer.

So we need to consider the factors of 10001000 split between nn and n1n-1.

Let nn be divisible by aa and n1n-1 by bb, where ab=1000a \cdot b = 1000 and gcd(a,b)=1\gcd(a, b) = 1.

All pairs (a,b)(a, b) where aa and bb are coprime and ab=1000a \cdot b = 1000:
The divisors of 10001000 are 1,2,4,5,8,10,20,25,40,50,100,125,200,250,500,10001, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20, 25, 40, 50, 100, 125, 200, 250, 500, 1000.

We list all pairs (a,b)(a, b) such that ab=1000a \cdot b = 1000 and gcd(a,b)=1\gcd(a, b) = 1:
- (1,1000)(1, 1000)
- (8,125)(8, 125)
- (125,8)(125, 8)
- (5,200)(5, 200)
- (200,5)(200, 5)
- (25,40)(25, 40)
- (40,25)(40, 25)

Now, for each pair, nn is divisible by aa, n1n-1 by bb.
So n0(moda)n \equiv 0 \pmod{a} and n1(modb)n \equiv 1 \pmod{b}.

By the Chinese Remainder Theorem, since aa and bb are coprime, there is a unique solution modulo 10001000 for each pair.
Let us compute nn for each pair and check if nn is a three-digit integer.

1. (a,b)=(8,125)(a, b) = (8, 125)
n0(mod8)n \equiv 0 \pmod{8}
n1(mod125)n \equiv 1 \pmod{125}
Let n=8kn = 8k, so 8k1(mod125)8k \equiv 1 \pmod{125}
Find kk such that 8k1(mod125)8k \equiv 1 \pmod{125}
The inverse of 88 modulo 125125 is 4747, since 8×47=376=1+3×125=1(mod125)8 \times 47 = 376 = 1 + 3 \times 125 = 1 \pmod{125}
So k47(mod125)k \equiv 47 \pmod{125}
So n=8k=8×47=376n = 8k = 8 \times 47 = 376
Check if nn is three-digit: 376376 is three-digit.

Also, kk can be 47+125m47 + 125m, so n=8×(47+125m)=376+1000mn = 8 \times (47 + 125m) = 376 + 1000m
But nn must be three-digit, so only m=0m = 0 works.
So n=376n = 376.

2. (a,b)=(125,8)(a, b) = (125, 8)
n0(mod125)n \equiv 0 \pmod{125}
n1(mod8)n \equiv 1 \pmod{8}
Let n=125kn = 125k, so 125k1(mod8)125k \equiv 1 \pmod{8}
1255(mod8)125 \equiv 5 \pmod{8}, so 5k1(mod8)5k \equiv 1 \pmod{8}
The inverse of 55 modulo 88 is 55, since 5×5=251(mod8)5 \times 5 = 25 \equiv 1 \pmod{8}
So k5(mod8)k \equiv 5 \pmod{8}
So n=125×5=625n = 125 \times 5 = 625
Again, n=625n = 625 is three-digit.

3. (a,b)=(5,200)(a, b) = (5, 200)
n0(mod5)n \equiv 0 \pmod{5}
n1(mod200)n \equiv 1 \pmod{200}
Let n=5kn = 5k, so 5k1(mod200)5k \equiv 1 \pmod{200}
The inverse of 55 modulo 200200 is 4141, since 5×41=205=1+1×200=5(mod200)5 \times 41 = 205 = 1 + 1 \times 200 = 5 \pmod{200}
Wait, 5×41=2055(mod200)5 \times 41 = 205 \equiv 5 \pmod{200}, not 11.
Try 5k1(mod200)5k \equiv 1 \pmod{200}
Try k=1k = 1, 5×1=55 \times 1 = 5; 5×41=2055 \times 41 = 205; 205200=5205 - 200 = 5.
Try k=41k = 41, 5×41=2055(mod200)5 \times 41 = 205 \equiv 5 \pmod{200}
Try k=81k = 81, 5×81=4055(mod200)5 \times 81 = 405 \equiv 5 \pmod{200}
Try k=161k = 161, 5×161=8055(mod200)5 \times 161 = 805 \equiv 5 \pmod{200}
So 5k5k always ends with 55 modulo 200200.
But 5k1(mod200)5k \equiv 1 \pmod{200}, so 5k=1+200m5k = 1 + 200m, k=(1+200m)/5k = (1 + 200m)/5, but 1+200m1 + 200m must be divisible by 55.
1+200m0(mod5)1 + 200m \equiv 0 \pmod{5}
200m1(mod5)200m \equiv -1 \pmod{5}
2000(mod5)200 \equiv 0 \pmod{5}, so 01(mod5)0 \equiv -1 \pmod{5}, which is impossible.
So no solution for this pair.

4. (a,b)=(200,5)(a, b) = (200, 5)
n0(mod200)n \equiv 0 \pmod{200}
n1(mod5)n \equiv 1 \pmod{5}
Let n=200kn = 200k, 200k1(mod5)200k \equiv 1 \pmod{5}
2000(mod5)200 \equiv 0 \pmod{5}, so 0×k1(mod5)0 \times k \equiv 1 \pmod{5}, which is impossible.
So no solution for this pair.

5. (a,b)=(25,40)(a, b) = (25, 40)
n0(mod25)n \equiv 0 \pmod{25}
n1(mod40)n \equiv 1 \pmod{40}
Let n=25kn = 25k, 25k1(mod40)25k \equiv 1 \pmod{40}
2525(mod40)25 \equiv 25 \pmod{40}, so 25k1(mod40)25k \equiv 1 \pmod{40}
Find inverse of 2525 modulo 4040.
Try 25×9=22525(mod40)25 \times 9 = 225 \equiv 25 \pmod{40}
Try 25×9=22525 \times 9 = 225, 2255×40=225200=25225 - 5 \times 40 = 225 - 200 = 25
Try 25×33=82525 \times 33 = 825, 82520×40=825800=25825 - 20 \times 40 = 825 - 800 = 25
Try 25×33=82525(mod40)25 \times 33 = 825 \equiv 25 \pmod{40}
Try 25×33=82525 \times 33 = 825, 82520×40=825800=25825 - 20 \times 40 = 825 - 800 = 25
Try k=1k = 1, 25×1=2525 \times 1 = 25
Try k=25k = 25, 25×25=62525 \times 25 = 625, 62515×40=625600=25625 - 15 \times 40 = 625 - 600 = 25
Try k=17k = 17, 25×17=42525 \times 17 = 425, 42510×40=425400=25425 - 10 \times 40 = 425 - 400 = 25
So 25k25k always ends with 2525 modulo 4040.
So 25k1(mod40)25k \equiv 1 \pmod{40}, 25k=1+40m25k = 1 + 40m, k=(1+40m)/25k = (1 + 40m)/25, 1+40m0(mod25)1 + 40m \equiv 0 \pmod{25}
40m1(mod25)40m \equiv -1 \pmod{25}
4015(mod25)40 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}, so 15m1(mod25)15m \equiv -1 \pmod{25}
Find mm such that 15m24(mod25)15m \equiv 24 \pmod{25}
Try m=24m = 24, 15×24=36015 \times 24 = 360, 36010(mod25)360 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=16m = 16, 15×16=24015 \times 16 = 240, 24015(mod25)240 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try m=9m = 9, 15×9=13515 \times 9 = 135, 13510(mod25)135 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=19m = 19, 15×19=28515 \times 19 = 285, 28510(mod25)285 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=14m = 14, 15×14=21015 \times 14 = 210, 21010(mod25)210 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=21m = 21, 15×21=31515 \times 21 = 315, 31515(mod25)315 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try m=23m = 23, 15×23=34515 \times 23 = 345, 34520(mod25)345 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try m=24m = 24, 15×24=36015 \times 24 = 360, 36010(mod25)360 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=1m = 1, 15×1=1515 \times 1 = 15, 1515(mod25)15 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try m=2m = 2, 15×2=3015 \times 2 = 30, 305(mod25)30 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try m=3m = 3, 15×3=4515 \times 3 = 45, 4520(mod25)45 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try m=4m = 4, 15×4=6015 \times 4 = 60, 6010(mod25)60 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=5m = 5, 15×5=7515 \times 5 = 75, 750(mod25)75 \equiv 0 \pmod{25}
So m=5m = 5, 15×5=750(mod25)15 \times 5 = 75 \equiv 0 \pmod{25}, so 15m0(mod25)15m \equiv 0 \pmod{25}
But we want 15m24(mod25)15m \equiv 24 \pmod{25}
Try m=24m = 24, 15×24=36010(mod25)15 \times 24 = 360 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=9m = 9, 15×9=13510(mod25)15 \times 9 = 135 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=11m = 11, 15×11=16515(mod25)15 \times 11 = 165 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try m=16m = 16, 15×16=24015(mod25)15 \times 16 = 240 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try m=23m = 23, 15×23=34520(mod25)15 \times 23 = 345 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try m=24m = 24, 15×24=36010(mod25)15 \times 24 = 360 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=17m = 17, 15×17=2555(mod25)15 \times 17 = 255 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try m=8m = 8, 15×8=12020(mod25)15 \times 8 = 120 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try m=19m = 19, 15×19=28510(mod25)15 \times 19 = 285 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=21m = 21, 15×21=31515(mod25)15 \times 21 = 315 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try m=22m = 22, 15×22=3305(mod25)15 \times 22 = 330 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try m=13m = 13, 15×13=19520(mod25)15 \times 13 = 195 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try m=18m = 18, 15×18=27020(mod25)15 \times 18 = 270 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try m=6m = 6, 15×6=9015(mod25)15 \times 6 = 90 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try m=7m = 7, 15×7=1055(mod25)15 \times 7 = 105 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try m=12m = 12, 15×12=1805(mod25)15 \times 12 = 180 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try m=20m = 20, 15×20=3000(mod25)15 \times 20 = 300 \equiv 0 \pmod{25}
Try m=25m = 25, 15×25=3750(mod25)15 \times 25 = 375 \equiv 0 \pmod{25}
So, perhaps this is not working. Let's try another approach.
Alternatively, since 25k1(mod40)25k \equiv 1 \pmod{40}, 25k=1+40m25k = 1 + 40m, k=(1+40m)/25k = (1 + 40m)/25, 1+40m1 + 40m must be divisible by 2525.
1+40m0(mod25)1 + 40m \equiv 0 \pmod{25}
40m1(mod25)40m \equiv -1 \pmod{25}
4015(mod25)40 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}, so 15m24(mod25)15m \equiv 24 \pmod{25}
Now, 15m24(mod25)15m \equiv 24 \pmod{25}
The inverse of 1515 modulo 2525 is 55, since 15×5=750(mod25)15 \times 5 = 75 \equiv 0 \pmod{25}, so 15×2=305(mod25)15 \times 2 = 30 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}, 15×7=1055(mod25)15 \times 7 = 105 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try m=24m = 24, 15×24=36010(mod25)15 \times 24 = 360 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=19m = 19, 15×19=28510(mod25)15 \times 19 = 285 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=9m = 9, 15×9=13510(mod25)15 \times 9 = 135 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=16m = 16, 15×16=24015(mod25)15 \times 16 = 240 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try m=21m = 21, 15×21=31515(mod25)15 \times 21 = 315 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try m=23m = 23, 15×23=34520(mod25)15 \times 23 = 345 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try m=8m = 8, 15×8=12020(mod25)15 \times 8 = 120 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try m=13m = 13, 15×13=19520(mod25)15 \times 13 = 195 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try m=22m = 22, 15×22=3305(mod25)15 \times 22 = 330 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try m=12m = 12, 15×12=1805(mod25)15 \times 12 = 180 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try m=17m = 17, 15×17=2555(mod25)15 \times 17 = 255 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try m=14m = 14, 15×14=21010(mod25)15 \times 14 = 210 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=11m = 11, 15×11=16515(mod25)15 \times 11 = 165 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try m=6m = 6, 15×6=9015(mod25)15 \times 6 = 90 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try m=4m = 4, 15×4=6010(mod25)15 \times 4 = 60 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try m=3m = 3, 15×3=4520(mod25)15 \times 3 = 45 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try m=2m = 2, 15×2=305(mod25)15 \times 2 = 30 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try m=1m = 1, 15×1=1515(mod25)15 \times 1 = 15 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try m=0m = 0, 15×0=00(mod25)15 \times 0 = 0 \equiv 0 \pmod{25}
So, perhaps there is no solution for this pair.

6. (a,b)=(40,25)(a, b) = (40, 25)
n0(mod40)n \equiv 0 \pmod{40}
n1(mod25)n \equiv 1 \pmod{25}
Let n=40kn = 40k, 40k1(mod25)40k \equiv 1 \pmod{25}
4015(mod25)40 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}, so 15k1(mod25)15k \equiv 1 \pmod{25}
The inverse of 1515 modulo 2525 is 1212, since 15×12=180=7×25+5=5(mod25)15 \times 12 = 180 = 7 \times 25 + 5 = 5 \pmod{25}
Wait, 15×12=18015 \times 12 = 180, 1807×25=180175=5180 - 7 \times 25 = 180 - 175 = 5
Try k=2k = 2, 15×2=305(mod25)15 \times 2 = 30 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try k=7k = 7, 15×7=1055(mod25)15 \times 7 = 105 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try k=17k = 17, 15×17=2555(mod25)15 \times 17 = 255 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try k=23k = 23, 15×23=34520(mod25)15 \times 23 = 345 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try k=24k = 24, 15×24=36010(mod25)15 \times 24 = 360 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try k=9k = 9, 15×9=13510(mod25)15 \times 9 = 135 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try k=11k = 11, 15×11=16515(mod25)15 \times 11 = 165 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try k=1k = 1, 15×1=1515(mod25)15 \times 1 = 15 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try k=3k = 3, 15×3=4520(mod25)15 \times 3 = 45 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try k=8k = 8, 15×8=12020(mod25)15 \times 8 = 120 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try k=13k = 13, 15×13=19520(mod25)15 \times 13 = 195 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try k=18k = 18, 15×18=27020(mod25)15 \times 18 = 270 \equiv 20 \pmod{25}
Try k=19k = 19, 15×19=28510(mod25)15 \times 19 = 285 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try k=14k = 14, 15×14=21010(mod25)15 \times 14 = 210 \equiv 10 \pmod{25}
Try k=16k = 16, 15×16=24015(mod25)15 \times 16 = 240 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try k=21k = 21, 15×21=31515(mod25)15 \times 21 = 315 \equiv 15 \pmod{25}
Try k=22k = 22, 15×22=3305(mod25)15 \times 22 = 330 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try k=12k = 12, 15×12=1805(mod25)15 \times 12 = 180 \equiv 5 \pmod{25}
Try k=5k = 5, 15×5=750(mod25)15 \times 5 = 75 \equiv 0 \pmod{25}
Try k=10k = 10, 15×10=1500(mod25)15 \times 10 = 150 \equiv 0 \pmod{25}
Try k=15k = 15, 15×15=2250(mod25)15 \times 15 = 225 \equiv 0 \pmod{25}
Try k=20k = 20, 15×20=3000(mod25)15 \times 20 = 300 \equiv 0 \pmod{25}
So, perhaps there is no solution for this pair.

Therefore, the only three-digit solutions are n=376n = 376 and n=625n = 625.

Check:
3762=141376376^2 = 141376, last three digits are 376376.
6252=390625625^2 = 390625, last three digits are 625625.

Thus, the answer is 376\boxed{376} and 625\boxed{625}.

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Source: MathNet, licensed CC-BY-4.0. Statement reproduced verbatim; metadata (topic, difficulty) added by this project.