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jmc

number theory senior

Problem

What is the smallest positive integer such that is equal to a terminating decimal?
Solution
If is a terminating decimal, then is divisible only by 2 and 5. We proceed by looking for integers only divisible by 2 and 5.

We find that 125 is the smallest power of 5 greater than 101. The smallest satisfactory integer divisible by 25 is also 125; multiplying by powers of 2 gives us 100, then 200. The smallest satisfactory integer divisible by 5 is also 125, since multiplying by powers of 2 gives us 80, then 160. Finally, the smallest power of 2 greater than 101 is 128. 125 is the smallest denominator that will give a terminating decimal, so we have that which implies .
Final answer
24