perplexus.info :: Numbers : Reverse and Differ

Reverse and Differ (Posted on 2005-02-01)

Start with any 3-digit number which is not a palindrome.
Reverse the digits and find the positive difference between the two numbers.
Using this result, continue this process until the difference is a number with fewer than three digits.

1) What are the only possible results? Prove it. 2) What is the greatest number of steps any number could take to terminate (and which numbers are these?)

Submitted by Jer

Rating: 3.0000 (3 votes)

Solution: (Hide)

1) 99 is the only posible result.

2) Call the original 3 digits a, b, c. The number itself is 100a + 10b + c and its reversal is 100c + 10b + a The difference is 99a - 99c = 99(a-c) This number must be a multiple of 99, so it is either 99, 198, 297, 396, 495, 594, 693, 792, or 891.

891 - 198 = 693
792 - 297 = 495
693 - 396 = 297
594 - 495 = 99

As can be seen, 99 is always reached.

3) The most steps would result from reaching 891 or 198 on the first step.
For example: 422 -> 198 -> 693 -> 297 -> 495 -> 99 which takes 5 steps.
Any number whose first and last digits differ by either 2 or 10 will take the full 5 steps. (there are 150 such numbers.)

Comments: ( You must be logged in to post comments.)

Subject	Author	Date
Puzzle Thoughts	K Sengupta	2023-01-09 02:28:37
re(4): Solution	Jer	2018-03-25 14:01:08
re(3): Solution	Ady TZIDON	2013-03-29 19:26:23
re(2): Solution	Charlie	2013-03-29 11:42:21
re: Solution	Ady TZIDON	2013-03-29 08:52:01
Some thoughts	Sing4TheDay	2005-02-02 15:21:53
Solution	e.g.	2005-02-01 18:28:11

Please log in:

Login:
Password:
Remember me:

Sign up! \| Forgot password

Search:

Search body:

Forums (0)
Newest Problems
Random Problem
FAQ | About This Site
Site Statistics
New Comments (3)
Unsolved Problems
Top Rated Problems
This month's top
Most Commented On

Chatterbox:


perplexus dot info