Contents

1. Number System iii

1.1 Fundamental Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
1.1.1 Types of Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
1.2 Test for a Number to be Prime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
1.3 Divisibility Rules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
1.4 Important Formulae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
1.5 Summation of Natural Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
1.6 Arithmetic Progression (AP) and Geometric Progression (GP) . . . . . . ix
1.6.1 Arithmetic Progression (AP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
1.6.2 Geometric Progression (GP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
1.7 Solved Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix

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Aptitude for Competitive Examinations

Dr. J. Udayageetha
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Number System

1.1 Fundamental Concepts

1.1.0.1 Numbers

In the Hindu-Arabic system, we have ten digits:

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

A number is denoted by a group of digits, called a numeral. Example: 528679 is read as

five lakh twenty-eight thousand six hundred seventy-nine.

Face Value and Place Value

ˆ Face value of a digit is the digit itself. Example: In 6872, face value of 8 is 8.
ˆ Place value depends on the position. Example: In 70984, place value of 9 is 9×100 =
900.

1.1.1 Types of Numbers

1. Natural Numbers: Counting numbers. Example: 1, 2, 3, . . .

2. Whole Numbers: Natural numbers with zero. Example: 0, 1, 2, 3, . . .

3. Integers: Positive, negative numbers, and zero. Example: −2, −1, 0, 1, 2

4. Even Numbers: Divisible by 2. Example: 12 is even since 12 ÷ 2 = 6.

5. Odd Numbers: Not divisible by 2. Example: 13 is odd.

6. Prime Numbers: Exactly two factors (1 and itself). Example: 17 is prime.

7. Composite Numbers: More than two factors. Example: 12 has factors 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12.

8. Perfect Numbers: Sum of factors (excluding itself) = number. Example: Factors

of 28 are 1, 2, 4, 7, 14, 28. Since 1 + 2 + 4 + 7 + 14 = 28, it is perfect.

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9. Co-primes: HCF = 1. Example: (8, 9).

10. Twin Primes: Prime pair differing by 2. Example: (11, 13).

11. Rational Numbers: Of the form pq , q ̸= 0. Example: 52 .

√
12. Irrational Numbers: Non-terminating, non-repeating decimals. Example: π, 2.

Important Facts

1. All natural numbers are whole numbers.

2. All whole numbers are not natural numbers. Note: 0 is a whole number but not a
natural number.

3. Properties of addition, subtraction, and multiplication:

ˆ Even + Even = Even (e.g., 4 + 6 = 10)

ˆ Odd + Odd = Even (e.g., 3 + 5 = 8)

ˆ Even + Odd = Odd (e.g., 6 + 7 = 13)

ˆ Even − Even = Even (e.g., 10 − 4 = 6)

ˆ Odd − Odd = Even (e.g., 9 − 3 = 6)

ˆ Even − Odd = Odd (e.g., 12 − 5 = 7)

ˆ Odd − Even = Odd (e.g., 11 − 4 = 7)

ˆ Even × Even = Even (e.g., 8× 6 = 48)

ˆ Odd × Odd = Odd (e.g., 3× 5 = 15)

ˆ Even × Odd = Even (e.g., 4× 7 = 28)

4. The smallest prime number is 2.

5. The only even prime number is 2.

6. The first odd prime number is 3.

7. 1 is a unique number – neither prime nor composite.

8. The least composite number is 4.

9. The least odd composite number is 9.

1.2. Test for a Number to be Prime v

1.2 Test for a Number to be Prime

Let p be a given number and let n be the smallest counting number such that

n2 ≥ p.

Now, test whether p is divisible by any of the prime numbers less than or equal to n.

ˆ If p is divisible by any such prime, then p is not prime.

ˆ Otherwise, p is a prime number.
Examples

Test whether the following are prime numbers:

137, 173, 319, 437, 811

(i) p = 137 We know that 122 > 137. Prime numbers less than 12 are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11.
None of these divide 137.

∴ 137 is a prime number.

(ii) p = 173 We know that 142 > 173. Prime numbers less than 14 are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13.
None of these divide 173.

∴ 173 is a prime number.

(iii) p = 319 We know that 182 > 319. Prime numbers less than 18 are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17.
Since 319 ÷ 11 = 29, 319 is divisible by 11.

∴ 319 is not a prime number.

(iv) p = 437 We know that 212 > 437. Prime numbers less than 21 are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19.
Since 437 ÷ 19 = 23, 437 is divisible by 19.

∴ 437 is not a prime number.

(v) p = 811 We know that 302 > 811. Prime numbers less than 30 are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29.
None of these divide 811.

∴ 811 is a prime number.

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1.3 Divisibility Rules

1. By 2: Last digit even (0,2,4,6,8). Ex: 58694 ✓ , 86945×

2. By 3: Sum of digits divisible by 3. Ex: 695421 ✓ , 948653×

3. By 9: Sum of digits divisible by 9. Ex: 246591 ✓ , 734519×

4. By 4: Last 2 digits divisible by 4. Ex: 6879376 ✓ , 496138×

5. By 8: Last 3 digits divisible by 8. Ex: 16789352 ✓ , 576484×

6. By 10: Last digit 0. Ex: 7849320 ✓ , 678405×

7. By 5: Last digit 0 or 5. Ex: 76895 ✓ , 68790 ✓

8. By 11: (Sum odd digits – even digits) divisible by 11. Ex: 29435417 ✓ , 57463822×

9. By 25: Last 2 digits = 00 or divisible by 25. Ex: 63875 ✓ , 96445×

10. By 7 or 13: Group into 3 digits, check difference. Ex: 4537792  divisible by 7,
not 13

11. By 16: Last 4 digits divisible by 16. Ex: 463776 ✓ , 895684×

12. By 6: Divisible by both 2 and 3.

13. By 12: Divisible by both 3 and 4.

14. By 15: Divisible by both 3 and 5.

15. By 18: Divisible by both 2 and 9.

16. By 14: Divisible by both 2 and 7.

17. By 24: Divisible by both 3 and 8.

18. By 40: Divisible by both 5 and 8.

19. By 80: Divisible by both 5 and 16.

Note: If a number is divisible by co-primes p and q, it is divisible by pq. But if p and

q are not co-primes, divisibility by p and q separately does not imply divisibility by pq.
Example: 36 is divisible by 4 and 6, but not by 24.
1.3. Divisibility Rules vii

1. Factorial

The factorial of n is
n! = n × (n − 1) × (n − 2) × · · · × 1

Example: 5! = 5 × 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 120.

2. Modulus of a Number

|x| = x if x ≥ 0, and |x| = −x if x < 0. Example: | − 7| = 7.

3. Greatest Integer Function

[x] = greatest integer not exceeding x. Example: [3.8] = 3.

4. Division Algorithm

Dividend = (Divisor × Quotient) + Remainder

Example: 17 ÷ 5 = 3 remainder 2. Here, 17 = 5 × 3 + 2.

5. Multiplication by Distributive Law

a × (b + c) = a × b + a × c
a × (b − c) = a × b − a × c

Examples:

1. 567958 × 99999 = 567958 × (100000 − 1) = 567958 × 100000 − 567958 × 1 =

56795800000 − 567958 = 56795232042.

2. 978 × 184 + 978 × 816 = 978 × (184 + 816) = 978 × 1000 = 978000.

6. Multiplication of a Number by 5n

To multiply a number by 5n :

ˆ Put n zeros to the right of the number.

ˆ Divide the new number by 2 . n

9754360000
Example: 975436 × 625 = 975436 × 54 = = 609647500.
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1.4 Important Formulae

1. (a + b)2 = a2 + b2 + 2ab

2. (a − b)2 = a2 + b2 − 2ab

3. (a + b)2 + (a − b)2 = 2(a2 + b2 )

4. (a + b)2 − (a − b)2 = 4ab

5. (a + b)3 = a3 + b3 + 3ab(a + b)

6. (a − b)3 = a3 − b3 − 3ab(a − b)

7. a2 − b2 = (a + b)(a − b)

8. (a + b + c)2 = a2 + b2 + c2 + 2(ab + bc + ca)

9. a3 + b3 = (a + b)(a2 − ab + b2 )

10. a3 − b3 = (a − b)(a2 + ab + b2 )

11. a3 + b3 + c3 − 3abc = (a + b + c)(a2 + b2 + c2 − ab − bc − ca)

12. If a + b + c = 0, then a3 + b3 + c3 = 3abc

1.5 Summation of Natural Numbers

ˆ Sum of first n natural numbers:
n
X n(n + 1)
k=
k=1
2

ˆ Sum of squares of first n natural numbers:

n
X n(n + 1)(2n + 1)
k2 =
k=1
6

ˆ Sum of cubes of first n natural numbers:

n  2
X
3 n(n + 1)
k =
k=1
2
1.6. Arithmetic Progression (AP) and Geometric Progression (GP) ix

Important Facts
1. (xn − an ) is divisible by (x − a) for all values of n.

2. (xn − an ) is divisible by (x + a) for all even values of n.

3. (xn + an ) is divisible by (x + a) for all odd values of n.

1.6 Arithmetic Progression (AP) and Geometric Pro-

gression (GP)

1.6.1 Arithmetic Progression (AP)

ˆn th
term:
an = a + (n − 1)d

where a = first term, d = common difference.

ˆ Sum of first n terms:

n
n
Sn = 2a + (n − 1)d = (a + l)
2 2

where l = a + (n − 1)d (last term).

1.6.2 Geometric Progression (GP)

ˆn th
term:
an = a r n−1

where a = first term, r = common ratio.

ˆ Sum of first n terms (when r ̸= 1):

a(rn − 1)
Sn =
r−1

ˆ Sum of infinite GP (when |r| < 1):

a
S∞ =
1−r

1.7 Solved Problems

Ex. 1. Simplify:
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1. 8888 + 888 + 88 + 8
Sol: = 9872

2. 715632 − 631104 − 9874 − 999

Sol: = 715632 − (631104 + 9874 + 999) = 715632 − 641977 = 73655

Ex. 2. Find the missing value:

1. ? − 1936248 = 1635773
Sol: x = 1635773 + 1936248 = 3572021

2. 9587−? = 7429 − 4358

Sol: 9587 − x = 3071 ⇒ x = 9587 − 3071 = 6516

Ex. 3. Maximum value of Q in 5P 9 + 3R7 + 2Q8 = 1114.

Sol: Clearly, 2 + P + R + Q = 11. So, Qmax = 11 − 2 = 9 (when P = 0, R = 0).

Ex. 4. Simplify:

1. 5793405 × 9999
Sol: = 5793405 × (10000 − 1) = 57934050000 − 5793405 = 57928256595

2. 839478 × 625
8394780000
Sol: = 839478 × 54 = = 524673750
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Ex. 5. Evaluate:

1. 986 × 137 + 986 × 863

Sol: = 986 × (137 + 863) = 986 × 1000 = 986000

2. 983 × 207 − 983 × 107

Sol: = 983 × (207 − 107) = 983 × 100 = 98300

Ex. 6. Simplify:

1. 1605 × 1605
Sol: (1605)2 = (1600 + 5)2 = 16002 + 2(1600)(5) + 52 = 2560000 + 16000 + 25 =
2576025

2. 1398 × 1398
Sol: (1398)2 = (1400−2)2 = 14002 −2(1400)(2)+22 = 1960000−5600+4 = 1954404

Ex. 7. Evaluate:

1. 4752 + 1252
(a + b)2 + (a − b)2 (600)2 + (350)2 360000 + 122500
Sol: (a2 + b2 ) = = = =
2 2 2
241250
1.7. Solved Problems xi

2. 7962 − 2042
Sol: (a2 − b2 ) = (a + b)(a − b) = (796 + 204)(796 − 204) = (1000)(592) = 592000

Ex. 8. Simplify:

1. (387 × 387 + 113 × 113 + 2 × 387 × 113)

Sol: = 3872 + 1132 + 2(387)(113) = (387 + 113)2 = (500)2 = 250000

2. (87 × 87 + 61 × 61 − 2 × 87 × 61)
Sol: = 872 + 612 − 2(87)(61) = (87 − 61)2 = 262 = 676

Ex. 9. Find the square root of 4a2 + b2 + c2 + 4ab − 2bc − 4ac.

Sol:
4a2 + b2 + c2 + 4ab − 2bc − 4ac = (2a + b − c)2

Hence, the square root is (2a + b − c).

Ex. 10. Simplify:

7893 + 2113
1.
7892 − 789 · 211 + 2112
a3 + b3
Sol: Using identity 2 = a + b = 789 + 211 = 1000.
a − ab + b2
6583 − 3283
2.
6582 + 658 · 328 + 3282
a3 − b 3
Sol: Using identity 2 = a − b = 658 − 328 = 330.
a + ab + b2
Ex. 11. Simplify: (893 + 786)2 − (893 − 786)2
Sol: Using identity (a + b)2 − (a − b)2 = 4ab = 4(893)(786).

Ex. 12. Test whether the following are prime numbers:

1. 241 ⇒ Prime (not divisible by primes < 16).

2. 337 ⇒ Prime (not divisible by primes < 19).

3. 391 ⇒ Not prime (divisible by 17).

4. 571 ⇒ Prime (not divisible by primes < 24).

Ex. 13. If D stands for “adding first number to twice the second number”,
find (1D2)D3.
Sol: (1D2) = 1 + 2(2) = 5 So, (1D2)D3 = 5D3 = 5 + 2(3) = 11.
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Ex. 14. Given 12 + 22 + 32 + · · · + 102 = 385, find 22 + 42 + 62 + · · · + 202 .

Sol: 22 (12 + 22 + 32 + · · · + 102 ) = 4 × 385 = 1540.

Ex. 15. Which of the following are divisible by 3?

1. 541326: Sum of digits = 21 (divisible by 3) ⇒ divisible.

2. 5967013: Sum of digits = 31 (not divisible by 3) ⇒ not divisible.

Ex. 16. Find least value of ∗ such that 197 ∗ 5462 is divisible by 9.
Sol: Sum of digits = 34 + x. For divisibility by 9, 34 + x must be divisible by 9. ⇒ x = 2.
So, ∗ = 2.

Ex. 17. Which of the following are divisible by 4?

1. 67920594: Last two digits = 94 (not divisible by 4) ⇒ Not divisible.

2. 618703572: Last two digits = 72 (divisible by 4) ⇒ Divisible.

Ex. 18. Find digits ∗ and $ such that 62684 ∗ $ is divisible by both 8 and 5.
Sol: For divisibility by 5, $ = 0 (cannot be 5, as then not divisible by 8).
Now, last 3 digits = 4 ∗ 0. For divisibility by 8, ∗ = 4.
Hence, digits are ∗ = 4, $ = 0.

Ex. 19. Show that 4832718 is divisible by 11.

Sol: (Sum of odd digits) – (Sum of even digits)
= (8 + 7 + 3 + 4) − (1 + 2 + 8) = 22 − 11 = 11.
Since 11 is divisible by 11, 4832718 is divisible by 11.

Ex. 20. Is 52563744 divisible by 24?

Sol: 24 = 3 × 8, where 3 and 8 are co-primes. Sum of digits = 36 (divisible by 3). Last
3 digits = 744 (divisible by 8). Hence, number is divisible by both 3 and 8. So, it is
divisible by 24.

Ex. 21. Find M and N if M 39048458N is divisible by both 8 and 11.

Sol: For divisibility by 8: last 3 digits = 58N divisible by 8 ⇒ N = 4.
Now for divisibility by 11: (Even place sum) – (Odd place sum) = (8 + 4 + 4 + 9 + M ) −
(4 + 5 + 8 + 0 + 3) = (25 + M ) − 20 = M + 5. So, M + 5 divisible by 11 ⇒ M = 6.
Thus, M = 6, N = 4.

Ex. 22. Find the number of digits in the smallest number made of digits
1 and 0 only, divisible by 225.
1.7. Solved Problems xiii

Sol: 225 = 9 × 25, where 9 and 25 are co-primes.

For divisibility by 9: sum of digits divisible by 9. For divisibility by 25: last 2 digits
divisible by 25.
Smallest such number = 11111111100 (11 digits). Hence, required number of digits
= 11.

Ex. 23. If 3422213pq is divisible by 99, find p and q.

Sol: 99 = 9 × 11.
For divisibility by 9: 3 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 1 + 3 + p + q = 17 + (p + q) must be multiple of
9. So, p + q = 1 or 10.
For divisibility by 11: (q +3+2+2+3)−(p+1+2+4) = (10+q)−(7+p) = 3+(q −p)
must be 0 or 11. So, q − p = −3 or 8.
Checking consistency: Only solution is p = 1, q = 9.
Ex. 24. If x2 + 12 is divisible by x, find possible values of x.

x2 + 12 12
Sol: = x+ must be integer. Hence, x must divide 12. Possible values:
x x
1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12. Ex. 25. Find smallest number to be added to 1000 so that 45
divides it.

Sol: On dividing 1000 by 45, remainder = 10.

Number to be added = 45 − 10 = 35.

Ex. 26. What least number must be subtracted from 2000 so that result
is divisible by 17?
Sol: On dividing 2000 by 17, remainder = 11. Required subtraction = 11.

Ex. 27. Find nearest number to 3105 exactly divisible by 21.

Sol: 3105 ÷ 21 leaves remainder = 18. So, add 21 − 18 = 3. Required number
= 3105 + 3 = 3108.

Ex. 28. Find smallest 5-digit number divisible by 476.

Sol: Smallest 5-digit number = 10000.
10000 ÷ 476 leaves remainder = 4. Number to be added = 476 − 4 = 472. Required
number = 10472.

Ex. 29. Find greatest 5-digit number divisible by 47.

Sol: Greatest 5-digit number = 99999. 99999 ÷ 47 leaves remainder = 30. Required
number = 99999 − 30 = 99969.
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Ex. 30 When a certain number is multiplied by 13, the product consists entirely of
fives. Find the smallest such number.
Sol: Dividing 55555 . . . by 13 repeatedly, we find the smallest exact multiple.

Required number = 42735

Ex. 31. When a certain number is multiplied by 18, the product consists entirely of 2’s.
What is the minimum number of 2’s in the product?
Sol: Dividing 22222 . . . by 18 repeatedly, we get exact multiple only when the product
has 9 twos.
Answer: Minimum number of 2’s = 9

Ex. 32. Find the unit’s digit of 81 × 82 × 83 × · · · × 89.

Sol: Required unit digit = unit digit of 1 × 2 × 3 × · · · × 9 = 0 (since 2 × 5 = 10).

Answer: 0

Ex. 33 Find the unit’s digit in (2467)153 × (341)72 .

Sol: Unit digit of (2467)153 = unit digit of 7153 . Since 74 ≡ 1 (mod 10), 7152 ≡ 1
(mod 10), so 7153 ≡ 7 (mod 10).
Unit digit of (341)72 = 1. Hence, product’s unit digit = 7 × 1 = 7.

Ex. 34. Find the unit’s digit of (264)102 + (264)103 .

Sol: Unit digit of (264)102 = 4102 . We get 4102 has unit digit 6.
Similarly, (264)103 = 4103 has unit digit 4.
Hence, required digit = (6 + 4) = 10 ⇒ 0.

Ex. 35. Find the total number of prime factors in (4)11 × (7)5 × (11)2 .
Sol:
(4)11 × (7)5 × (11)2 = (22 )11 × 75 × 112 = 222 × 75 × 112

Total number of prime factors = 22 + 5 + 2 = 29.

Ex. 36. How many zeros are at the end of 100! ?

Sol: Number of zeros = highest power of 5 in 100!.
   
100 100
+ = 20 + 4 = 24
5 25

Hence, required number of zeros = 24.

Ex. 37. What is the number of zeros at the end of the product 55 ×1010 ×1515 ×· · ·×125125
1.7. Solved Problems xv

Sol: The limiting factor is highest power of 2.

Number of multiples of 2: 10 + 20 + 30 + · · · + 120 = 780
Number of multiples of 4: 20 + 40 + 60 + · · · + 120 = 420
Number of multiples of 8: 40 + 80 + 120 = 240
Number of multiples of 16: 80 = 80
Total = 780 + 420 + 240 + 80 = 1520.
Hence, required number of zeros = 1520.

Ex. 38. On dividing 15968 by a certain number, the quotient is 89 and the remainder
is 37. Find the divisor.

Sol:

Dividend − Remainder 15968 − 37 15931

Divisor = = = = 179
Quotient 89 89
Ex. 39. A number when divided by 114 leaves remainder 21. If the same number is
divided by 19, find the remainder. (S.S.C., 2010)
Sol: Let the quotient be k. Then,

N = 114k + 21 = 19 · 6k + 19 + 2 = 19(6k + 1) + 2

Hence, remainder = 2.

Ex. 40. A number being successively divided by 3, 5 and 8 leaves remainders 1, 4

and 7 respectively. Find the respective remainders if the order of divisors be reversed.
Sol:
z = 8 · 1 + 7 = 15, y = 5z + 4 = 79, x = 3y + 1 = 238

Now reversing divisors:

238 ÷ 8 = 29 remainder 6,

29 ÷ 5 = 5 remainder 4,

5 ÷ 3 = 1 remainder 2

Hence, respective remainders = 6, 4, 2.

Ex. 41. Three boys A, B, C divide a number by 1001 using factors (13, 11, 7), (7, 11, 13)
and (11, 7, 13) respectively. If A obtains 3, 2, 1 as remainders, find the remainders ob-
tained by B and C.
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Sol:
z = 7 · 1 + 1 = 8, y = 11z + 2 = 90, x = 13y + 3 = 1173

For B:

1173 ÷ 7 = 167 rem 4, 167 ÷ 11 = 15 rem 2, 15 ÷ 13 = 1 rem 2

So B obtains 4, 2, 2.
For C:

1173 ÷ 11 = 106 rem 7, 106 ÷ 7 = 15 rem 1, 15 ÷ 13 = 1 rem 2

So C obtains 7, 1, 2.

Ex. 42. In a division sum, the divisor is 10 times the quotient and 5 times the re-
mainder. If the remainder is 46, find the dividend.
Sol:
D
R = 46, D = 5R = 230, Q = = 23
10
Dividend = DQ + R = 230 × 23 + 46 = 5336

Ex. 43. If three times the larger number divided by the smaller gives quotient 4
remainder 3, and seven times the smaller divided by the larger gives quotient 5 remainder
1, find the numbers.
Sol: Let larger = x, smaller = y.

3x = 4y + 3 ⇒ 3x − 4y = 3 (i)

7y = 5x + 1 ⇒ −5x + 7y = 1 (ii)

Multiply (i) by 5, (ii) by 3:

15x − 20y = 15, −15x + 21y = 3

Adding, y = 18. Substituting, x = 25.

Hence, numbers = 25, 18.

Ex. 44 A number when divided by 6 leaves remainder 3. Find the remainder when
its square is divided by 6.
Sol: Let N = 6k + 3. Then

N 2 = (6k + 3)2 = 36k 2 + 36k + 9 = 6(6k 2 + 6k + 1) + 3

1.7. Solved Problems xvii

Hence remainder = 3.

Ex. 45 Find the remainder when 96 + 7 is divided by 8.

Sol: Since (xn − an ) divisible by (x − a),

(96 − 1) divisible by (9 − 1) = 8

Thus (96 − 1) + 8 divisible by 8 ⇒ (96 + 7) divisible by 8. Hence remainder = 0.

Ex. 46. Find the remainder when (397)3589 + 5 is divided by 398.

Sol: Since n odd, (xn + an ) divisible by (x + a),

(3973589 + 1) divisible by 398

Thus (3973589 + 5) leaves remainder 4.

Ex. 47. If 7126 is divided by 48, find the remainder.

Sol: 7126 = (49)63 .
Since (xn − an ) divisible by (x − a),

(4963 − 1) = (7126 − 1) divisible by 48

So remainder = 1.

Ex. 48. Find the remainder when (257166 − 243166 ) is divided by 500.
Sol: Since n even, (xn − an ) divisible by (x + a),

(257166 − 243166 ) divisible by (257 + 243) = 500

Hence remainder = 0.

Ex. 49. Find a common factor of (127127 + 97127 ) and (12797 + 9797 ).
Sol: Since n odd, (xn + an ) divisible by (x + a),

127127 + 97127 , 12797 + 9797

are both divisible by (127 + 97) = 224. Hence, required common factor = 224.

Ex. 50. A 99–digit number is formed by writing first 59 natural numbers:

123456789101112 . . . 5859
xviii Contents

Find remainder when divided by 16.

Sol: Remainder depends only on last four digits i.e. 5859.

5859 ÷ 16 remainder = 3