A person kept rolling a regular die until one of the numbers appeared third time on the top. This happened in 12th throw and the sum of all the numbers in 12 throws was 46. Which number could have appeared the least number of times?
A.2
B.3
C.4
D.5
E.6
The equation can be framed as :-
\(S_{9}\)+3m = 46
The other 9 rolls can not have any number rolled thrice, hence they can be rolled only in the form of 2+2+2+2+1 where we need to find that number that was rolled only once.
One of the number rolled thrice, 4 numbers rolled twice and 1 number rolled once.
3m + 2(p+q+r+s) + n = 46
3m + n = 46 - 2(p+q+r+s)
As we can see with this equation m and n both have to be either even or odd
If m and n are even then out of p, q, r, s one will be even and the other 3 will be odd => p+q+r+s = odd
If m and n are odd then out of p, q, r, s one will be odd and the other 3 will be even => p+q+r+s = odd
Rearranging equation,
\(p+q+r+s = \frac{46}{2} - \frac{(3m+n)}{2} = 23 - \frac{(3m+n)}{2}\)
Therefore \(\frac{(3m+n)}{2} = 23 - Odd Term = Even\)
For this to be even \(\frac{(3m+n)}{2}\), only m=2 and n=6 or m=6 and n=2 satisfies
Checking for m = 6, n = 2; p+q+r+s = 13
Satisfies the above equation.
Answer - A