Last visit was: 25 Apr 2026, 11:42 It is currently 25 Apr 2026, 11:42
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 25 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,830
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,884
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,830
Kudos: 811,246
 [15]
Kudos
Add Kudos
15
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 25 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,830
Own Kudos:
811,246
 [3]
Given Kudos: 105,884
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,830
Kudos: 811,246
 [3]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
GMATinsight
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 08 Jul 2010
Last visit: 25 Apr 2026
Posts: 6,977
Own Kudos:
16,916
 [2]
Given Kudos: 128
Status:GMAT/GRE Tutor l Admission Consultant l On-Demand Course creator
Location: India
GMAT: QUANT+DI EXPERT
Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V41
WE:Education (Education)
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: IIM (A) ISB '24
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V41
Posts: 6,977
Kudos: 16,916
 [2]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
GMATWhizTeam
User avatar
GMATWhiz Representative
Joined: 07 May 2019
Last visit: 17 Mar 2026
Posts: 3,374
Own Kudos:
2,193
 [2]
Given Kudos: 70
Location: India
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V41
GMAT 2: 760 Q51 V40
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 760 Q51 V40
Posts: 3,374
Kudos: 2,193
 [2]
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
What is the sum of digits in decimal notation of number \(10^{20} - 16\)?

A. 156
B. 158
C. 174
D. 176
E. 456

Solution


First, let us check if digits of \(10^n-16\) (in decimal notion) follows any pattern or not, then we will calculate the answer.
Since 16 is greater than \(10^1\), we will start with \(10^2\)
    • \(10^2 – 16 = 100-16= 84\)
    • \(10^3 – 16 = 1000 – 16 = 984\)
    • \(10^4 – 16 = 10000 – 16 = 9984\) and so on.
We can see from the above that decimal notation of \(10^n – 16 \) follows a pattern such that, digits in decimal notion of \(10^n – 16 \) are \((n-2)\) times \(9\)s, 8 and 4.
    • Hence, the sum of digits in decimal notion of \(10^n – 16 = (n-2) *9 +8+4\)
      o The sum of digits in decimal notion of \(10^{20}-16 = (20-2) *9+8+4 = 174\)
Thus, the correct answer is Option C.
User avatar
Archit3110
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 18 Aug 2017
Last visit: 25 Apr 2026
Posts: 8,630
Own Kudos:
5,190
 [1]
Given Kudos: 243
Status:You learn more from failure than from success.
Location: India
Concentration: Sustainability, Marketing
GMAT Focus 1: 545 Q79 V79 DI73
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
GPA: 4
WE:Marketing (Energy)
Products:
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
Posts: 8,630
Kudos: 5,190
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
one alternate way
value of 10^20 will have total 21 digits i.e 20 zeroes and 1 one
and last two digits of \(10^{20} - 16\) = 84 ; sum ; 3
other 19 digits will be 9
so total sum ; 19*9+3 ; 174
IMO C


Bunuel
What is the sum of digits in decimal notation of number \(10^{20} - 16\)?

A. 156
B. 158
C. 174
D. 176
E. 456
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 25 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,830
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,884
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,830
Kudos: 811,246
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
What is the sum of the digits in the decimal notation of the number \(10^{20} - 16\)?

A. 156
B. 158
C. 174
D. 176
E. 456

\(10^{20}\) has 21 digits: a 1 followed by 20 zeros.

\(10^{20}-16\) has 20 digits: eighteen 9's and 84 at the end.

So, the sum of the digits of \(10^{20}-16\) equals \(18*9+8+4=174\).

Answer: C.
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,985
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,985
Kudos: 1,118
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109830 posts
Tuck School Moderator
852 posts