If \(\frac{17}{2^a5^b}\) has a decimal expansion that terminates exactly after 9 places and \(a<b\), what is the value of \(b\)?

9

When the denominator is of the form \(2^a5^b\) and the numerator is 17 (which is coprime to 2 and 5), the fraction is already in lowest terms. A terminating decimal requires only factors 2 and 5 in the denominator, and the number of decimal places required equals \(\max(a,b)\). Given the decimal terminates exactly after 9 places and \(a<b\), the larger exponent is \(b\), so \(b=9\). Why other choices fail: 8 is too small, 10 is too large, and \(a+9\) is not implied by the condition \(a<b\). Exam tip: first reduce the fraction if possible; then the termination length equals the larger exponent of 2 or 5 in the reduced denominator.

This is a Class 10 Mathematics question. Chapter: Real Numbers. Topic: Decimal expansion of rational numbers.