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What is the last digit of 2^3^4?

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Legendaddy
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What is the last digit of 2^3^4? [#permalink] New post   Updated on: 07 Sep 2012, 06:38
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What is the last digit of \(2^{3^4}\) ?

(A) 0
(B) 2
(C) 6
(D) 4
(E) 8
ShowHide Answer
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B

Originally posted by Legendaddy on 07 Sep 2012, 06:17.
Last edited by Bunuel on 07 Sep 2012, 06:38, edited 1 time in total.
Renamed the topic.
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Re: What is the last digit of 2^3^4? [#permalink] New post   07 Sep 2012, 06:47
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Legendaddy wrote:
What is the last digit of \(2^{3^4}\) ?

(A) 0
(B) 2
(C) 6
(D) 4
(E) 8


If exponentiation is indicated by stacked symbols, the rule is to work from the top down: \(a^m^n=a^{(m^n)}\) and not \((a^m)^n\). For more check Number Theory chapter of Math Book: math-number-theory-88376.html

Hence, \(2^{3^4}=2^{(3^4)}=2^{81}\).

Now, the units digit of 2 in positive integer power repeats the following pattern {2, 4, 8, 6}:
2^1=2;
2^2=4;
2^3=8;
2^4=16;
2^5=32 (2 again),

Therefore the units digit of \(2^{81}\) will be the same as the units digit of 2^1 (81=4*20+1), so 2.

Answer: B.

P.S. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW: rules-for-posting-please-read-this-before-posting-133935.html (RULE #3). THANK YOU.
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Re: What is the last digit of 2^3^4? [#permalink] New post   07 Sep 2012, 10:00
Legendaddy wrote:
What is the last digit of \(2^{3^4}\) ?

(A) 0
(B) 2
(C) 6
(D) 4
(E) 8


This kind of "what is last digit" problems can be easily solved using rule of cyclicity.

We need to remember that cyclicity of 2, 3, 7, 8 is 4. This means original number repeats after 4th power, hence \(2^5\) has first digit 2.
Cyclicity of 4, 9 is 2.
1, 5, 6 will remain same always.

With this basic knowledge we can proceed to answer this question.
\(2^{3^4}\)
\(=2^{81}\)
\(->2^1\)

So, last digit is 2.

With this method, I am sure one can answer such question within 1 minute.
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Re: What is the last digit of 2^3^4? [#permalink] New post   14 Aug 2015, 14:00
Expert Reply
Please tag number properties
Thank you
Legendaddy wrote:
What is the last digit of \(2^{3^4}\) ?

(A) 0
(B) 2
(C) 6
(D) 4
(E) 8
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mathivanan
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Re: What is the last digit of 2^3^4? [#permalink] New post   14 Aug 2015, 23:42
Legendaddy wrote:
What is the last digit of \(2^{3^4}\) ?

(A) 0
(B) 2
(C) 6
(D) 4
(E) 8

the unit digit of
2^1=2
2^5=2
2^9=2 and so on
therefore, 2^81 =2
Hence the correct option is B
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Re: What is the last digit of 2^3^4? [#permalink] New post   19 Jul 2016, 05:46
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One learning for me :-

If exponentiation is indicated by stacked symbols, the rule is to work from the top down: a^m^n=a^{(m^n)} and not (a^m)^n.
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Re: What is the last digit of 2^3^4? [#permalink] New post   21 Jul 2016, 10:03
can be written as 2^81
now 81 can be written as 4k+1
or
2^1=2
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Re: What is the last digit of 2^3^4? [#permalink] New post   30 Dec 2020, 12:04
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Re: What is the last digit of 2^3^4? [#permalink]
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