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jmc

number theory intermediate

Problem

What is the smallest five-digit number with non-zero digits such that the digits add up to 20?
Solution
For the number to be as small as possible, the leftmost digit should be as small as possible. Therefore, the ten thousandth digit should be . The other four digits would have to add up to . The leftmost digit is now the thousandth digit, which should be the smallest number possible, . We can also put a in the hundredths place. The last two digits then have to add up to . The only single-digit numbers that add to are and . Since is smaller, that goes in the tens place, and the goes in the ones place. Therefore, the smallest five-digit number possible is .
Final answer
11189