EgmatQuantExpert
What is the rightmost non-zero digit of \(30^{58}*17^{85}\)?
Let’s simplify 30^58:
30^58 = 3^58 x 10^58
So, we have:
3^58 x 10^58 x 17^85
Since 10^58 is the number 1 followed by 58 zeros, we really need to determine the units digit of 3^58 and 17^85 (or 7^85):
We can evaluate 3^n for positive integer values of n. That is, let’s look at the pattern of the units digits of powers of 3. When writing out the pattern, notice that we are ONLY concerned with the units digit of 3 raised to each power.
3^1 = 3
3^2 = 9
3^3 = 7
3^4 = 1
3^5 =3
The pattern of the units digits of powers of 3 repeats every 4 exponents. The pattern is 3–9–7–1. In this pattern, all positive exponents that are multiples of 4 will have 1 as their units digit. Thus:
Following the pattern, we see that 3^56 has a units digit of 1, 3^57 has a units digit of 3, and 3^58 has a units digit of 9.
Next, we can evaluate 7^n for positive integer values of n. That is, let’s look at the pattern of the units digits of powers of 7. When writing out the pattern, notice that we are ONLY concerned with the units digit of 7 raised to each power.
7^1 = 7
7^2 = 9
7^3 = 3
7^4 = 1
7^5 = 7
The pattern of the units digits of powers of 7 repeats every 4 exponents. The pattern is 7–9–3–1. In this pattern, all positive exponents that are multiples of 4 will have 1 as their units digit. Thus:
7^84 has a units digit of 1 and 7^85 has a units digit of 7.
Since the units digit of 3^58 is 9 and the units digit of 7^85 is 7, and the product of 9 and 7 is 63, we know that the last non-zero digit of 30^58 and 17^85 is 3.
Answer: C