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Hong Kong Preliminary Selection Contest

Hong Kong algebra

Problem

Let denote the greatest integer not exceeding . Find the last three digits of
Solution
Let . Using the formula , we have Rewrite this as . Since the quadratic equation has no real roots, we must have , and hence Since the last three digits of powers of 5 have the pattern 005, 025, 125, 625, 125, 625, ..., it follows that the answer is 125.
Final answer
125

Techniques

Polynomial operationsOther