Maths WorkshopMaths problems with full solutions
Exercise 1090Combinatorics › Pigeonhole principleOlympiadAdded 3 Nov 2026

Sum of digits

#pigeonhole#digits#sums

Statement

Show that among any 8282 positive integers, some two have the same digit sum mod 1010.

Hint

Digit sum mod 1010 has only 1010 possible values. 82=10⋅8+282 = 10\cdot 8+2.

Show solutionHide solution

Solution

Classes. Digit sum mod 1010 has 1010 possibilities.

Pigeonhole. 8282 integers, 1010 classes: some class has ≥⌈82/10⌉=9\ge\lceil 82/10\rceil=9 integers.

Conclusion. Two integers have the same digit sum mod 1010 (in fact, at least 99 do).