The formula for the finding the number of zeroes in N! is N/5 + N/5^2 + N/5^3 + ....+ N/5^r where N < 5^(r+1).
So for 310, we need to keep continuing for 125 as well
so 310/5 + 310/25 + 310/125 = 62 + 12 + 2 = 76 trailing zeroes.
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How does one know that the "something" cannot contribute to adding further trailing zeros? If the "something" captures a 2 and a 5 couldn't it add further 0s?

Hello Bunuel

As you mentioned that any extra 2 or 5 left out from any of the factorial will result in One more Trailing Zero.
How can we know that there is no extra 2 or 5 left out ?
Also if possible please direct me to such a question where we have to take care of extra 2 or 5 being left out .

And can such a concept be tested in GMAT ?

Thankssss A LOT !

All factorials from 20! --> 24! have four 5-factors (5,10,15,20). This means that\(4 * 5 = 20\)
All factorials from 25! --> 29! have six 5-factors (5,10,15,20,25) where 25 has two 5 factors. This means that \(6 * 5 = 30\)
All factorials from 30! --> 34! have seven 5-factors (5,10,15,20,25,30) where 25 has two 5 factors. This means that \(7 * 4 = 28\)

\(20+30+28=78\) trailing zeroes

Given the \(3!\) exponent (translating to the power of 6), We multiply this power with the number trailing zeroes

\(78* 6 =468\)

Answer A

Why is this term "something" in the equation above still there? Why is it needed, I don't understand why you put that in there. Could you explain that?
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Count the number of fives and the number of two's.
A ten is formed as follows => 5 multiplied by 2

P.S => Explanation by Bunuel regarding => trailing zeroes must be some multiple of 6
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It is not that difficult.. It will take you a minute to solve.
20! is having 4 5's; multiply the same with 6 as you are give 3! as a power. Same should go for 21,22,23 and 24!. 25! will have 2 more 5's adding up to the solution.

So basically. 4*6=24*5= 120
6*6= 36: 36*5=180
7*6=42: 42*4=168 (we are stopping at 33!)

Add them up and your solution arrives.

Here it is again:


For more check Trailing Zeros Questions and Power of a number in a factorial questions in our Special Questions Directory.


Hope this helps.
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Shortest solution:

We need to find trailing zeroes in (a)^3! or (a)^6

The trailing zeros will be of form 10^6n

B, D, E are odd numbers hence out.
C is not a multiple of 3 hence out.

A is a multiple of 2 and 3 and so 6. Hence correct answer.


KUDOS Please

The number of trailing zeroes at the end of a number depends on the highest power of 10 in that number. This in turn depends on the highest power of 5 in that number.

The highest power of 5 in 20! is 4. Therefore, the highest power of 5 in all numbers between 20 and 25 will also be 4. This gives us \(5^{20}\).

The highest power of 5 in 25! is 6 (remember, 25 gives us \(5^2\)). So, the highest power of 5 in all numbers between 25 and 30 will also be 6. This gives us \(5^{30}\).
The highest power of 5 in 30! is 7. The highest power of 5 in all numbers from 30 to 33 will also be 7. This gives us \(5^{28}\).
Since the expression inside the bracket is a product, the highest power of 5 inside the brackets will be \(5^{20}\) * \(5^{30}\) * \(5^{28}\), which gives \(5^{78}\). The exponent is 3! which is nothing but 6.

\((5^{78})^6\) = \(5^{468}\). Clearly, this will be the highest power of 10 and hence the number of trailing zeroes at the end of the number given. The correct answer option is A.
Although this is not exactly a GMAT type of question, it’s still worth investing your time for consolidating the concepts.
Hope this helps!
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