# Function Problem | AIME I, 1988 | Question 2

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

First hint

$f_1(11)=4$

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

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

Second Hint

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

Final Step

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

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

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