mmcooley33 wrote:
If 1=<n<=99, what is the probability that n(n + 1) is perfectly divisible by 3 ?
For n(n + 1) to be divisible by 3, either n is a multiple of 3, or (n + 1) is a multiple of 3.
Considering n is a multiple of 3:
Between 1 to 99, the number of multiples of 3 = (99 - 3)/3 + 1 = 33 [Note: Use I substraced 3 from 99 since the smallest multiple of 3 is 3 itself]
Considering (n + 1) is a multiple of 3:
Between 1 to 99, the number of multiples of 3 would be from 2-98 and would also be 33 multiples.
Thus, the probability that n(n+1) is perfectly divisible by 3 = P(n is odd) or P(n + 1 is odd)
= 33/99 + 33/99 = 66/99 = 22/33 = 2/3
I am not sure of the underlying formula used here. Am I right assuming to find the number of multiples divisble
(nL(last)-nF(first))/3(multiple of) +1 and I add 1 because i need to account for 3 again?
First about the multiple of x in the given range:# \ of \ multiples \ of \ x \ in \ the \ range = \frac{Last \ multiple \ of \ x \ in \ the \ range \ - \ First \ multiple \ of \ x \ in \ the \ range}{x}+1, (check this:
totally-basic-94862.html?hilit=multiple%20range).
So, there will be
\frac{99-3}{3}+1=33 multiples of 3 in the range from 1 to 99, inclusive: 3, 6, 9, ..., 99;
n+1 to be a multiple of 3 in the range from 1 to 99, inclusive n must be 2, 5, 8, ..., 98, one less than above values, so also 33 options for n;
Hence, n(n+1) to be a multiple of 3 n can take 33+33=66 values: P=(favorable outcomes)/(total # of outcomes)=66/99=2/3.
30 second approach:Take first 3 numbers from the given range: 1, 2, and 3 in order n(n+1) to be a multiple of 3 n can be either 2 or 3 P=2/3. For next 3 numbers the probability will be the same and as 99 equals to 3*33 (similar 33 blocks of 3) then for complete range the probability will still be 2/3.
Answer: 2/3.
Hope it helps.
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