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# Function Problem | AIME I, 1988 | Question 2

Try this beautiful problem from the American Invitational Mathematics Examination I, AIME I, 1988 based on function. You may use sequential hints.

Try this beautiful problem from the American Invitational Mathematics Examination I, AIME I, 1988 based on function.

## Function Problem – AIME I, 1988

For any positive integer k, let $f_1(k)$ denote the square of the sum of the digits of k. For $n \geq 2$, let $f_n(k)=f_1(f_{n-1}(k))$, find $f_{1988}(11)$.

• is 107
• is 169
• is 634
• cannot be determined from the given information

### Key Concepts

Functions

Equations

Algebra

AIME I, 1988, Question 2

Functional Equation by Venkatchala

## Try with Hints

$f_1(11)=4$

or, $f_2(11)=f_1(4)=16$

or, $f_3(11)=f_1(16)=49$

or, $f_4(11)=f_1(49)=169$

or, $f_5(11)=f_1(169)=256$

or, $f_6(11)=f_1(256)=169$

or, $f_7(11)=f_1(169)=256$

This goes on between two numbers with this pattern, here 1988 is even,

or, $f_1988(11)=f_4(11)=169$.