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[image] We all know what factorials ... - @guest_writer on 13 Sep '11 - PaGaLGuY
We all know what factorials (n!) are. They look friendly and helpful but looks can be deceiving, as
many quant problems have taught us. It is probably because Factorials are simple looking creatures,
that most students prefer attempting questions based on them rather than on Permutation &
Combination or Probability. I will cover P&C; and Probability in a later article but in todays post I
would like to discuss some fundas related to factorials, which as a matter of fact form the basis of a
large number of P&C; and Probability problems.
http://www.pagalguy.com/cat/mba-prep-articles-16898145/8785614
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9/1/2014
[image] We all know what factorials ... - @guest_writer on 13 Sep '11 - PaGaLGuY
The biggest power of a prime p that divides n! (or in other words, the power of prime p in n!) is given
by the sum of quotients obtained by successive division of n by p.
http://www.pagalguy.com/cat/mba-prep-articles-16898145/8785614
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9/1/2014
[image] We all know what factorials ... - @guest_writer on 13 Sep '11 - PaGaLGuY
? [134/3] = 44
? [44/3] = 14
? [14/3] = 4
? [4/3] = 1
? Power of 3 in 134! = 44 + 14 + 4 + 1 = 63
Highest power of 18 and 36 will also be 31. Highest power of 27 will be [63/3] = 21.
Note: To find out the highest power of a composite number, always try and find out which number
(or prime number) will become the limiting factor. Use that to calculate your answer. In most cases
you can just look at a number and say that which one of its prime factors will be the limiting factor. If
it is not obvious, then you may need to find it out for two of the prime factors. The above method
can be used for doing the same.
Number of zeroes is given by the sum of the quotients obtained by successive division of n by 5.
http://www.pagalguy.com/cat/mba-prep-articles-16898145/8785614
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9/1/2014
[image] We all know what factorials ... - @guest_writer on 13 Sep '11 - PaGaLGuY
This is actually an extension of Funda 1. Number of ending zeroes is nothing else but the number of
times n! is divisible by 10 or in other words, the highest power of 10 that divides n!. 10 is not a prime
number and its prime factors are 2 and 5. 5 becomes the limiting factor and leads to the abovementioned idea.
Example: What is the number of ending zeroes in 134! ?
? [134/5] = 26
? [26/5] = 5
? [5/5] = 1
? Number of ending zeroes = 26 + 5 + 1 = 32
http://www.pagalguy.com/cat/mba-prep-articles-16898145/8785614
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