Let n be a positive integer and d be a digit such that the value of the numeral 32d in base n equals 263, and the value of the numeral 324 in base n equals the value of the numeral 11d1 in base six. What is n+d? (A)10(B)11(C)13(D)15(E)16
Multiple choice: answer with the letter of the option you want.
Solution
We can start by setting up an equation to convert 32d base n to base 10. To convert this to base 10, it would be 3n2+2n+d. Because it is equal to 263, we can set this equation to 263. Finally, subtract d from both sides to get 3n2+2n=263−d. We can also set up equations to convert 324 base n and 11d1 base 6 to base 10. The equation to covert 324 base n to base 10 is 3n2+2n+4. The equation to convert 11d1 base 6 to base 10 is 63+62+6d+1. Simplify 63+62+6d+1 so it becomes 6d+253. Setting the above equations equal to each other, we have 3n2+2n+4=6d+253. Subtracting 4 from both sides gets 3n2+2n=6d+249. We can then use equations 3n2+2n=263−d 3n2+2n=6d+249 to solve for d. Set 263−d equal to 6d+249 and solve to find that d=2. Plug d=2 back into the equation 3n2+2n=263−d. Subtract 261 from both sides to get your final equation of 3n2+2n−261=0. We solve using the quadratic formula to find that the solutions are 9 and −29/3. Because the base must be positive, n=9. Adding 2 to 9 gets (B)11 -Zeusthemoose (edited for readability) -solution corrected by Billowingsweater
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