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if we solve the equations, F(7), F(7^2), F(7^3), F(7^4 ) we will see the answer is the unit digit of 7^1, 7^2, 7^3, 7^4.
Now unit digit of 7^n is either of the following: 7,9,3,1 and repeats after every 4th power.
Now 7^2020 = 7^(4*505) .
Thus we see the answer to the equation is the sum of 505 pairs of (7+9+3+1).
hence answer = (7+9+3+1)x505 = 10100.

Note it is good to remember the unit digit of power raised to any number.

Note the following table of unit digits, shall be very handy
1 - 1
2 - 2,4,8,6
3- 3,9,7,1
4- 4,6
5-5
6-6
7-7,9,3,1
8-8,4,2,6
9-9,1
0-0


Examples to use the above table :
-->If we are to find the unit digit of any number, with unit digit 2, raised to any power, we need to break it in "4k+n" manner. Example. Unit digit of 12^5 = unit digit of 2^5 = unit digit corresponding to 4*1 +1 using the above table is 2

-->If we are to find the unit digit of any number, with unit digit 3, raised to any power, we need to break it in "4k+n" manner. Example. Unit digit of 13^5 = unit digit of 3^5 = unit digit corresponding to 4*1 +1 using the above table is 3

-->If we are to find the unit digit of any number, with unit digit 4, raised to any power, we need to break it in "2k+n" manner. Example. Unit digit of 14^5 = unit digit of 4^5 = unit digit corresponding to 2*2 +1 using the above table is 4
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The cycle repeats like 7,9,3,1 so sum is 20 * 2020/4 times = 20*505 = 10100

Answer: Option D
MathRevolution
[GMAT math practice question]

The function \(f(x)\) is defined as \(x - 10[\frac{x}{10}]\). ([\(x\)] is the greatest integer less than or equal to \(x\)). What is \(f(7) + f(7^2) + f(7^3) +...+ f(7^{2020})\)?

A. \(10036\)

B. \(10039\)

C. \(10040\)

D. \(10100 \)

E. \(10107\)
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How does x - 10 [x/10] imply we are concerned with finding remainder of x when divided by 10? How does this expression imply that?

MathRevolution
=>

\(f(x) = x – 10[\frac{x}{10}]\) means the remainder of \(x\) when \(x\) is divided by \(10.\)

For example, \(f(1234) = 1234 – 10*[\frac{1234}{10}] = 1234 – 10*[123.4] = 1234 – 10*123 = 1234 – 1230 = 4.\)

Units digit of Powers of base \(7\) repeats as follows.
\(f(7^1) = 7 ~ 7^5 ~ 7^9 ~ ...\)

\(f(7^2) = f(49) = 9 ~ 7^6 ~ 7^{10} ~ ...\)

\(f(7^3) = f(343) = 3 ~ 7^7 ~ 7^{11} ~ ...\)

\(f(7^4) = f(2401) = 1 ~ 7^8 ~ 7^{12} ~ ...\)

\(f(7) + f(7^2) + f(7^3) +...+ f(7^{2020})\)

\(= f(7) + f(7^2) + f(7^3) + f(7^4) + f(7^5) +...+ f(7^{2017}) + f(7^{2018}) + f(7^{2019}) + f(7^{2020})\)

\(= (7 + 9 + 3 + 1) + (7 + 9 + 3 + 1) +...+ (7 + 9 + 3 + 1)\)

\(= 20 * \frac{2020}{4} = 20*505 = 10100\)

Therefore, D is the answer.
Answer: D
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What does greatest integer lesser than or equal that number mean? In simpler terms if we have a decimal number, the integer number rounded down is our answer.
[4.9] = 4
[34.9] = 34
When in usual cases you might wanna round up to nearest integer here it gets rounded down.

Now think about it if it does get rounded down, when u multiply that number by 10 and subtract from original number what remains? The unit digit!

You have 49 - 10*4 = 9, 343 - 10*34 = 3 and so on..
Why because you remove the decimal place in that function and round it down, the difference in value is the decimal place*10 = unit digit.
Try for first 3 multiples of 7 and you will realise that.
Once you do that the cycle of unit's digit as you knoew repeats, in this case after every 4.
Thus (7+9+3+1) * 2020/4 = 10100 is what we get.
atharvadixit
How does x - 10 [x/10] imply we are concerned with finding remainder of x when divided by 10? How does this expression imply that?


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