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smc

algebra senior

Problem

For every positive integer , let be the remainder obtained when is divided by 5. Define a function recursively as follows: What is ?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Solution
Simply take some time to draw a table of values of for the first few values of : Now we claim that for , for all values . We will prove this by induction on and . The base cases for , have already been proven. For our inductive step, we must show that for all valid values of , if for all valid values of , . We prove this itself by induction on . For the base case, , . For the inductive step, we need if . Then, by our inductive hypothesis from our inner induction and from our outer inductive hypothesis. Thus, , completing the proof. It is now clear that for , for all values . Thus, .
Final answer
B