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ExamsGATEEngineering Mathematics

Consider the equation $(123)_5 = (x8)_y$, where $x$ and $y$ are unknown. The number of possible solutions is _____.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4

Correct answer: 3

Solution

$(123)_5 = 1\cdot 25 + 2\cdot 5 + 3 = 38$. So $(x8)_y = x y + 8 = 38$, giving $x y = 30$. Since digit 8 must be valid in base $y$, we need $y > 8$, and valid factor pairs of 30 with $y > 8$ are $(x,y)=(3,10),(2,15),(1,30)$, so there are 3 solutions.

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