2018 AMC 8

Complete problem set with solutions and individual problem pages

Problem 25 Hard

How many perfect cubes lie between 2^8+1 and 2^{18}+1, inclusive?

  • A.

    4

  • B.

    9

  • C.

    10

  • D.

    57

  • E.

    58

Answer:E

Solution 1

We compute 2^8+1=257. We're all familiar with what 6^3 is, namely 216, which is too small. The smallest cube greater than it is 7^3=343. 2^{18}+1 is too large to calculate, but we notice that 2^{18}=(2^6)^3=64^3, which therefore will clearly be the largest cube less than 2^{18}+1. So, the required number of cubes is 64-7+1= \boxed{\textbf{(E) }58}.

 

Solution 2

First, 2^8+1=257. Then, 2^{18}+1=262145. Now, we can see how many perfect cubes are between these two parameters. By guessing and checking, we find that it starts from 7 and ends with 64. Now, by counting how many numbers are between these, we find the answer to be \boxed{\textbf{(E) }58}.