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jmc

number theory senior

Problem

Compute . Express your answer in base 3.
Solution
It doesn't matter the order in which we add and subtract values, but we'll start with since the values are close. \begin{array}{c@{}c@{\;}c@{}c@{}c@{}c} & & 2& 1 & 2 & 2_3\\ &- & 2 & 1 & 1 & 1_3\\ \cline{2-6} & & & & 1 & 1_3\\ \end{array}Now we're left with . We add . \begin{array}{c@{}c@{\;}c@{}c@{}c@{}c} & & & 1 & 2 & 1_3\\ &+ & & & 1 & 1_3\\ \cline{2-6} & & & 2 & 0 & 2_3\\ \end{array}So we have . \begin{array}{c@{}c@{\;}c@{}c@{}c@{}c} & & 1 & 2 & 0 & 0_3\\ &-& & 2 & 0 & 2_3\\ \cline{2-6} & & & 2 & 2 & 1_3\\ \end{array}Our answer is .
Final answer
-221_3