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When the positive integer n is divided by 5, the remainder is 2. When n is divided by 8, the remainder is 3. The least possible value of n lies between

If x and y are integers

n = 5x + 2

n = 8y + 3

5x + 2 = 8y + 3

5x = 8y + 1

So, to find 5x, we can find a multiple of 5 that is 1 more than a multiple of 8, which will be an odd multiple of 5.

5 - 1 = 4

15 - 1 = 14

25 - 1 = 24 — There it is.

5x = 25

n = 5x + 2 = 27

A. 5 and 10
B. 10 and 15
C. 15 and 20
D. 20 and 25
E. 25 and 30


Correct answer: E
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I did this question with simple susbtitution.

n= 5x+2
n=8y+3

substituting values of x-{0,1,2,3,4,5)
got the values of y-{1/2,9/8,7/4,19/8,3}

Got the first plausible value of x=-5 and y=3 and hence got the value of n between 25-30
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1. “When the positive integer n is divided by 5, the remainder is 2” —> Essentially, n is 2 more than a multiple of 5. So, 2 more than numbers like 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 ...
So, no must be one of 7, 12, 17, 22, 27 ...

So, n must end in 2 or 7.

2. “When n is divided by 8, the remainder is 3“

How come the remainder is odd? When can we get an odd integer upon dividing by 8? n must be odd. An even number when divided by an even number will always give an even remainder. (Let me know if this idea is not clear - I’ll try to elaborate).

Combining 1 and 2, n must be a 7-ending number.

Since the question asks about the least possible value, we’re told n is a positive integer, and the ranges overall just go from 5 to 30, I’ll just start with 7 and go to other 7-ending integers till I find one that when divided by 8 leaves a remainder of 3.


7: 7 divided by 8, remainder is 7. Didn’t work.
17: 17 divided by 8, remainder is 1. Didn’t work.
27: 27 divided by 8, remainder is 3! Fits.

Done.

Why can we stop here? Because the question asks for the least possible value of n. n can’t be lower than 27. So, that’s the least possible value.

(E) between 25 and 30 is the answer.
gchandana
When the positive integer n is divided by 5, the remainder is 2. When n is divided by 8, the remainder is 3. The least possible value of n lies between

A. 5 and 10
B. 10 and 15
C. 15 and 20
D. 20 and 25
E. 25 and 30
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