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Ponder This

December 1999

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Ponder This Challenge:

Millennial Puzzle The puzzlemaster misstated the December puzzle the first time around. Let's try again.

Consider the integer N=2^1999 (2 raised to the 1999 power). Is there a positive integer multiple of N whose decimal representation does not contain the digit 0? How would you construct such an integer or prove that it doesn't exist?

We will post the names of those who submit a correct, original solution! If you don't want your name posted then please include such a statement in your submission!

We invite visitors to our website to submit an elegant solution. Send your submission to the ponder@il.ibm.com.

If you have any problems you think we might enjoy, please send them in. All replies should be sent to: ponder@il.ibm.com

  

Challenge: 12/01/99 @ 12:00 AM EST
Solution: 01/01/00 @ 12:00 AM EST
List Updated: 01/01/00 @ 12:00 AM EST

People who answered correctly:

Correct submissions for the original puzzle:
Kunal Shroff (12.6.1999 @ 4:57 PM EST)
Krishna Alamuru (12.6.1999 @ 3:33 AM EST)
Sridhar Srinivasan (12.6.1999 @ 1:24 PM EST)
Joseph DeVincentis (12.6.1999 @ 10:48 AM EST)
Jimmy Hu (12.6.1999 @ 1:57 PM EST)
Philippe Fondanaiche (12.6.1999 @ 6:14 PM EST)
John Feiler (12.7.1999 @ 2:39 AM EST)
Philip Nanni (12.7.1999 @ 2:52 AM EST)
Ionel Santa (12.7.1999 @ 5:35 AM EST)
Ilan Algor (12.7.1999 @ 6:61 AM EST)
Robert Galejs (12.7.1999 @ 9:10 AM EST)

Correct submissions for the revised puzzle:
Joseph DeVincentis (12.7.1999 @ 10:26 AM EST)
Jimmy Hu (12.7.1999 @ 1:32 PM EST)
Alamuru Krishal (12.8.1999 @ 3:26 PM EST)
Stanislav Jordanov (12.9.1999 @ 9:25 AM EST)
Dean Flatt (12.7.1999 @ 7:06 PM EST)
James Chan (12.7.1999 @ 9:17 PM EST)
Sridhar Srinivasan (12.7.1999 @ 11:51 AM EST)
Dave Biggar (12.12.1999 @ 9:32 AM EST)
Ionel Santa (12.13.1999 @ 3:22 AM EST)
Mihai Cioc (12.17.1999 @ 5:41 PM EST)
Amos Guler (12.21.1999 @ 6:22 AM EST)
Ming-wei Wang (12.22.1999 @ 9:19 PM EST)
Antoni & Tomek Tomaszewicz (12.24.1999 @ 5:12 PM EST)
Brian Carnes (12.27.1999 @ 5:27 PM EST)

Attention: If your name is posted here and you wish it removed please send email to the ponder@il.ibm.com.