Maths : Basic Numeracy

Q 120 / 370

UPSC CSE Prelims 2023

What is the unit digit in the expansion of (57242)9×7×5×3×1?

EXPLANATION

Correct Option (A)

To determine the unit digit of (57242)9×7×5×3×1, the focus is on the unit digit of the base and the exponent.

The unit digit of the base is 2.

First, calculate the value of the exponent:

  • 9×7×5×3×1=945

The problem is thus reduced to finding the unit digit of (2)945. The unit digits of powers of 2 follow a cyclical pattern:

  • 21=2
  • 22=4
  • 23=8
  • 24=16 (unit digit is 6)
  • 25=32 (unit digit is 2)

This pattern (2, 4, 8, 6) repeats every four powers. Therefore, the cyclicity of the unit digit 2 is 4.

To find the unit digit of 2945, divide the exponent (945) by the cyclicity (4) and determine the remainder:

  • 945÷4=236 with a remainder of 1.

The unit digit of 2945 is equivalent to the unit digit of 2remainder. Since the remainder is 1, the unit digit is 21=2.

Hence, the unit digit in the expansion of (57242)9×7×5×3×1 is 2.

Incorrect Options:

Options B (4), C (6), and D (8) are incorrect. The systematic application of the cyclicity rule for the unit digit of 2, based on the calculated exponent of 945, unequivocally establishes 2 as the unit digit. Any other result would contradict the principles of unit digit cyclicity and exponentiation.