n is an integer from 1 to 50, what is the probability that n(n+1) is n

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We can use the following equation:

1 = P(n(n+1) is divisible by 4) + P(n(n+1) is NOT divisible by 4)

Thus:

P(n(n+1) is NOT divisible by 4) = 1 - P(n(n+1) is divisible by 4)

Let’s determine the probability that n(n+1) is divisible by 4. If n(n+1) is divisible by 4, then either n is divisible by 4 or n +1 is divisible by 4. Calculating the number of values of n divisible by 4 is the same as calculating the number of multiples of 4 between 1 and 50 inclusive. To calculate this, we can use this formula:

(largest multiple of 4 - smallest multiple of 4)/4 + 1

(48 - 4)/4 + 1

44/4 + 1 = 11 + 1 = 12

Thus, there are 12 multiples of 4 between 1 and 50 inclusive. That is, n can be any one of these 12 multiples of 4 so that n(n + 1) will be divisible by 4.

Similarly, if (n + 1) is a multiple of 4, n(n + 1) also will be divisible by 4. Since we know that there are 12 values of n that are multiples of 4, there must be another 12 values of n such that (n + 1) is a multiple of 4. Let’s expand on this idea:

When n = 3, n + 1 = 4, and thus n(n+1) is a multiple of 4.

When n = 23, n + 1 = 24, and thus n(n+1) is a multiple of 4.

When n = 47, n + 1 = 48, and thus n(n+1) is a multiple of 4.

We can see that there are 12 values of n that are multiples of 4, and 12 more values of n for (n + 1) to be a multiple of 4. Since there are 50 total integers from 1 to 50, inclusive, the probability of selecting a value of n so that n(n+1) is a multiple of 4 is:

24/50 = 12/25

Thus, the probability that n(n+1) IS NOT a multiple of 4 is 1 - 12/25 = 13/25.

Answer: B

(N) (N + 1) will be divisible by 4 if the integer N that is picked is either of the form:


N = 4k

or

N = 4k - 1


Find how many multiples of 4 there are from 1 to 50

Then double that amount because for each corresponding multiple there will be one value that is (-1) below that multiple

Ex: (3 and 4) ——- (7 and 8) ........ (47 and 48)


Count = (48 - 4)/4 + (1)

Count = 12

12 * 2 = 24 integers N such that (N) (N + 1) will be divisible by 4

Thus:

50 integers - (24 multiples of 4) =

26 Numbers that will NOT make (N) (N + 1) divisible by 4

Probability = 26/50 = 13/25

13/25

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