Number theoryDifficulty 5.1AIME, harderFind the answer
Let n be a positive integer, and let s be the sum of the digits of the base-four representation of 2n−1. If s=2023 (in base ten), compute n (in base ten).
A number or a short expression. Spacing and $ signs are ignored.
Solution
Every power of 2 is either represented in base 4 as 100…004 or 200..004 with some number of zeros. That means every positive integer in the form 2n−1 is either represented in base 4 as 333…334 or 133…33 for some number threes. Note that 2023=2022+1=674⋅3+1, meaning 2n−1 must be 133…3334 with 674 threes. Converting this to base 2 results in 133…334=200…004−1=2⋅4674−1=21349−1 for an answer of 1349.
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Source: Omni-MATH,
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