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# If an integer n is to be chosen at random from the integers

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Joined: 27 Jul 2010
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If an integer n is to be chosen at random from the integers [#permalink]

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30 Sep 2013, 20:59
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Hi Folks,

I need help in understanding to solve these kind of question.

If an integer n is to be chosen at random from the integers 1 to 96, inclusive, what is the probability that n(n + 1) will be divisible by 3?

Any help will be much appreciated. sorry I, dont have right answer for this question.

Thanks,
Ankur

Last edited by Bunuel on 01 Oct 2013, 01:07, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: what is the probability that n(n + 1)) will be divisible by [#permalink]

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30 Sep 2013, 21:40
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ankurjohar wrote:
Hi Folks,

I need help in understanding to solve these kind of question.

If an integer n is to be chosen at random from the integers 1 to 96, inclusive, what is the probability that n(n + 1) will be divisible by 3?

Any help will be much appreciated. sorry I, dont have right answer for this question.

Thanks,
Ankur

n(n+1) will be divisible by 3 if either n or (n+1) is divisible by 3. Note that both cannot be divisible by 3 at the same time.
Every number can be written as 3a or 3a+1 or 3a+2.

1 is of the form 3a+1
2 is of the form 3a + 1
3 is of the form 3a
4 is of the form 3a + 1
and so on...

If n is either 3a or 3a+2 (which means that (n+1) will be of the form 3a + 3 which is same as 3a), n(n+1) will be divisible by 3. This means out of 3 consecutive integers, 2 values of n will make n(n+1) divisible by 3. We have 32 complete groups of 3 consecutive integers each. (1,2 ,3), (4, 5, 6,) etc.
So out of every group, 2 values will make n(n+1) divisible by 3.
Hence probability that n(n+1) is divisible by 3 is 2/3.
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Karishma
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Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for $199 Veritas Prep Reviews Math Expert Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 39062 Followers: 7756 Kudos [?]: 106577 [0], given: 11628 Re: what is the probability that n(n + 1)) will be divisible by [#permalink] ### Show Tags 01 Oct 2013, 01:07 ankurjohar wrote: Hi Folks, I need help in understanding to solve these kind of question. If an integer n is to be chosen at random from the integers 1 to 96, inclusive, what is the probability that n(n + 1) will be divisible by 3? Any help will be much appreciated. sorry I, dont have right answer for this question. Thanks, Ankur Similar question to practice: if-an-integer-n-is-to-be-chosen-at-random-from-the-integers-126654.html Hope this helps. _________________ Intern Joined: 27 Jul 2010 Posts: 14 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 9 [0], given: 15 Re: If an integer n is to be chosen at random from the integers [#permalink] ### Show Tags 01 Oct 2013, 11:11 Hi Karishma/Bunuel, I was approaching this question in this ways: since in 1 to 96 ---- 32 number will be divisible by 3. in n(n+1) there will be another 16 number which will be divisible by 3 Hence 32+16 = 48 so the probability should be 48/96 = 1/2. Please help me in understanding what i am doing wrong Thanks, Ankur Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Posts: 7380 Location: Pune, India Followers: 2292 Kudos [?]: 15168 [1] , given: 224 Re: If an integer n is to be chosen at random from the integers [#permalink] ### Show Tags 01 Oct 2013, 19:40 1 This post received KUDOS Expert's post ankurjohar wrote: in n(n+1) there will be another 16 number which will be divisible by 3 I don't understand how you got this. You are right that in 1 to 96, there are 32 numbers divisible by 3. When you pick 2 consecutive numbers out of 1 to 96, 32 times n will be a multiple of 3 and 32 times (n+1) will be a multiple of 3. Hence n*(n+1) will be a multiple of three 64 times out of the 96 times you can pick a different value of n. 1* 2 2* 3 3* 4 4* 5 5* 6 6* 7 Note that for 6 different values of n, n(n+1) is divisible by 3 four times. _________________ Karishma Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor My Blog Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for$199

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Re: If an integer n is to be chosen at random from the integers [#permalink]

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28 Aug 2016, 13:08
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Re: If an integer n is to be chosen at random from the integers   [#permalink] 28 Aug 2016, 13:08
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