Bunuel
Which is the first non-zero digit from the right in the product of \((2^4)(3^7)(4^3)(5^{11})(7^2)(9^3)(10^4)\)?
A. 3
B. 5
C. 6
D. 8
E. 9
0s at the end are given by 10 as factors and combination of 2s and 5s (which again make 10s).
\(3^4 * 10^2\) will have 2 zeroes at the end.
\(3^4 * 2 * 5\) will have 1 zero at the end (one 2 and one 5 will multiply to give one 10)
In the given product, we have four 10s so four 0s at the end. We also have four 2s and eleven 5s which will make another four 10s. We do have more than four 5s but 5s alone cannot make a 10. You need 2s too and those are only four. So last eight digits of the number will be zeroes. Now, we have extra 5s leftover. Whenever we multiply a number by 5, it ends in 0 or 5 (depending on whether we have 2s or not). Since all 2s are already consumed, the rest of the number will end in 5. So the first non zero digit will be a 5.
for example:
\(3^2 * 2 * 5^2 * 10 = 9* 2*5 * 5 * 10 = 9* 10 * 5 * 10 = 45 * 100 = 4500\)
Answer (B)
Check this post for more on this concept :
https://www.gmatclub.com/forum/veritas-prep-resource-links-no-longer-available-399979.html#/2011/0 ... actorials/