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Re: If integer x is chosen at random from 50 to 149 inclusive, w [#permalink]
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BelalHossain wrote:
Here, x³ - x = x(x² - 1) = x(x + 1)(x - 1) = (x - 1)(x)(x + 1)
= Product of 3 consecutive integers.


And Product of 3 consecutive integers are always divisible by 3! i.e. 6. Now the question becomes-Whether any of the numbers is divisible by 4 as well?


Now check some numbers: [Rule of thumbs: check 4 cases for these probability type questions. If still confused, check 8 cases ]

(a) 49*50*51= NOT divisible by 12, coz no one is divisible by 4 (Here x=50, so x-1=49, x+1=51)
(b) 50*51*52= YES. it is divisible by 12, coz 52 is divisible by 4.
(c) 51*52*53= YES. it is divisible by 12, coz 52 is divisible by 4.
(d) 52*53*54= YES. it is divisible by 12, coz 52 is divisible by 4.

Here we can see that out of every 4 cases, 3 cases are divisible by 4. So 75% probability. so Answer is 0.75



Still NOT convinced? , Check next 4 cases

(a) 53*54*55= NOT divisible by 12, coz no one is divisible by 4
(b) 54*55*56= YES. it is divisible by 12, coz 56 is divisible by 4.
(c) 55*56*57= YES. it is divisible by 12, coz 56 is divisible by 4.
(d) 56*57*58= YES. it is divisible by 12, coz 56 is divisible by 4.

So, whatever the starting point, out of every 4 cases of product of 3 consecutive integers, 3 cases are divisible by 4 (consequently by 12). So 75% probability. so Answer is 0.75[/quote]
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If integer x is chosen at random from 50 to 149 inclusive, w [#permalink]
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GreenlightTestPrep wrote:
If integer x is chosen at random from 50 to 149 inclusive, what is the probability that x³ - x is a multiple of 12?

Enter your answer as a fraction

Note: One of my students asked me to solve this question. I thought I'd post it here, so that others can try it as well.

Show: ::
3/4



Here, simplify the stem as: x(x^2−1) = (x - 1)*x*(x + 1)

means we have 3 consecutive numbers; in any series of 3 consecutive numbers, it always divisible by: 3.

Now since it can be any number from 50 to 149 then consider this case one ass EVEN number and other as ODD number i.e.

1. If x is odd (x = 51, 53, 55, ... 147, 149)

(even)(odd)(even)
(x - 1)x(x + 1)

SO The total number of ODD Integers in that range of the stem (divisible by 3)

149 = 51 + (x-1)*2 or x = 50


2. if x is even (x = 50, 52, 54, 56,......, 144, 146, 148)

(odd)(even)(odd)
(c - 1)c(c + 1)

Since we have 2 odd numbers and they are consecutive nos. so anyone will be divisible by 3, but now are concerned about the even number, which must be only divisible by 4, because say, 58 though even but (odd*58*odd) is not divisible by 4, so the question to satisfy only even multiple of 4 is to be considered

so The total Numbers of even integers (divisible by 4)

148 = 52 + (x-1)4 or x = 25

Now the probability = (50+25)/100=75/100=3/4=0.75
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