Unit 6 · Algebra

Reversed Number Is 72 More — Last Digit?

Lesson 23 of 24

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Let the tens digit = A and units digit = B. Reversing gives 10B + A. The difference is 9(B − A). Set that equal to 72, solve for B − A = 8, then find the only valid digit pair.

Chapters

0:00Introduction
0:22The Question
1:05Modeling two-digit numbers algebraically
1:34Constructing the value difference equation
2:12Factoring the system to isolate digit difference
2:42Deducing the unique whole number pair
3:22Exam strategy — the rule of 9s for reversals
4:14Confirming the final option

Question

Timothy writes down the number 24. He reverses the digits to make the number 42. He then works out that 42 is 18 more than his starting number, 24.

Nicole writes down a whole number between 10 and 99. She also reverses the digits of her number. She finds that this makes a number that is 72 more than her starting number.

What was the last digit of Nicole's starting number?

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