GMAT Exam  >  GMAT Questions  >  If two positive integers a and b are chosen a... Start Learning for Free
If two positive integers a and b are chosen at random between 1 and 50 inclusive, what is the approximate probability that a number of the form 7α+7b is divisible by 5?
  • a)
    1/5
  • b)
    1/4
  • c)
    1/2
  • d)
    2/3
  • e)
    3/4
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
If two positive integers a and b are chosen at random between 1 and 50...
There are four possible combinations (7 & 3, 9 & 1, 3 & 7, and 1 & 9) where the sum (7a + 7b) will be divisible by 5.
The periodicity of the repetition of the power of 7 is 4. This means that every 1st, 5th, 9th, and so on time, the unit digit will be 7. The 2nd, 6th, and subsequent times will have a unit digit of 9, while the 3rd, 7th, and subsequent times will have a unit digit of 3.
The probability of obtaining each of these unit digits is 12 (approximated as 50/4) out of 50.
Therefore, the probability for 7a is 12/50, and the probability for 7b is also 12/50.
Since there are a total of 4 combinations mentioned, the combined probability is calculated as (12/50 * 12/50) * 4 (approximated).
Simplifying this expression, we get (1/4) * (1/4) * 4 = 1/4.
Hence, the approximate probability of the sum (7a + 7b) being divisible by 5 is 1/4.
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
If two positive integers a and b are chosen at random between 1 and 50...
Understanding the Problem
We want to find the probability that a number of the form \(7a + 7b\) is divisible by 5, where \(a\) and \(b\) are chosen randomly from the integers between 1 and 50.
Factor Out the Common Term
The expression can be simplified:
- \(7a + 7b = 7(a + b)\)
Now, we need to determine when \(7(a + b)\) is divisible by 5.
Divisibility by 5
For \(7(a + b)\) to be divisible by 5, \(a + b\) must be congruent to 0 modulo 5 because 7 is not divisible by 5. Thus, we require:
- \(a + b \equiv 0 \mod 5\)
Possible Values of \(a + b\)
The possible sums \(a + b\) can range from:
- Minimum: \(1 + 1 = 2\)
- Maximum: \(50 + 50 = 100\)
The values of \(a + b\) modulo 5 can be 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Counting Valid Outcomes
Since \(a\) and \(b\) can take any integer value from 1 to 50:
- There are \(50 \times 50 = 2500\) total combinations of \(a\) and \(b\).
Now, we can find how many of these combinations result in \(a + b \equiv 0 \mod 5\).
Distribution of Remainders
The sums \(a + b\) can yield remainders that are uniformly distributed. Therefore, each of the five possible remainders (0 through 4) will occur with equal frequency.
- Thus, the probability that \(a + b \equiv 0 \mod 5\) is:
\[
\frac{\text{Number of favorable outcomes}}{\text{Total outcomes}} = \frac{1}{5} \text{ (for 0 mod 5)}
\]
However, we need to account for all combinations yielding the same modulo result.
Final Probability Calculation
Since we only need \(a + b\) divisible by 5, we find:
- Combinations yielding \(0 \mod 5\) are 1 out of 5.
Hence, the approximate probability that \(7a + 7b\) is divisible by 5 is \( \frac{1}{4} \).
Thus, the correct answer is option B.
Free Test
Community Answer
If two positive integers a and b are chosen at random between 1 and 50...
There are four possible combinations (7 & 3, 9 & 1, 3 & 7, and 1 & 9) where the sum (7a + 7b) will be divisible by 5.
The periodicity of the repetition of the power of 7 is 4. This means that every 1st, 5th, 9th, and so on time, the unit digit will be 7. The 2nd, 6th, and subsequent times will have a unit digit of 9, while the 3rd, 7th, and subsequent times will have a unit digit of 3.
The probability of obtaining each of these unit digits is 12 (approximated as 50/4) out of 50.
Therefore, the probability for 7a is 12/50, and the probability for 7b is also 12/50.
Since there are a total of 4 combinations mentioned, the combined probability is calculated as (12/50 * 12/50) * 4 (approximated).
Simplifying this expression, we get (1/4) * (1/4) * 4 = 1/4.
Hence, the approximate probability of the sum (7a + 7b) being divisible by 5 is 1/4.
Attention GMAT Students!
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed GMAT study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in GMAT.
Explore Courses for GMAT exam

Top Courses for GMAT

If two positive integers a and b are chosen at random between 1 and 50 inclusive, what is the approximate probability that a number of the form7α+7b is divisible by 5?a)1/5b)1/4c)1/2d)2/3e)3/4Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
If two positive integers a and b are chosen at random between 1 and 50 inclusive, what is the approximate probability that a number of the form7α+7b is divisible by 5?a)1/5b)1/4c)1/2d)2/3e)3/4Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about If two positive integers a and b are chosen at random between 1 and 50 inclusive, what is the approximate probability that a number of the form7α+7b is divisible by 5?a)1/5b)1/4c)1/2d)2/3e)3/4Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for If two positive integers a and b are chosen at random between 1 and 50 inclusive, what is the approximate probability that a number of the form7α+7b is divisible by 5?a)1/5b)1/4c)1/2d)2/3e)3/4Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for If two positive integers a and b are chosen at random between 1 and 50 inclusive, what is the approximate probability that a number of the form7α+7b is divisible by 5?a)1/5b)1/4c)1/2d)2/3e)3/4Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GMAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for GMAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of If two positive integers a and b are chosen at random between 1 and 50 inclusive, what is the approximate probability that a number of the form7α+7b is divisible by 5?a)1/5b)1/4c)1/2d)2/3e)3/4Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of If two positive integers a and b are chosen at random between 1 and 50 inclusive, what is the approximate probability that a number of the form7α+7b is divisible by 5?a)1/5b)1/4c)1/2d)2/3e)3/4Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for If two positive integers a and b are chosen at random between 1 and 50 inclusive, what is the approximate probability that a number of the form7α+7b is divisible by 5?a)1/5b)1/4c)1/2d)2/3e)3/4Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of If two positive integers a and b are chosen at random between 1 and 50 inclusive, what is the approximate probability that a number of the form7α+7b is divisible by 5?a)1/5b)1/4c)1/2d)2/3e)3/4Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice If two positive integers a and b are chosen at random between 1 and 50 inclusive, what is the approximate probability that a number of the form7α+7b is divisible by 5?a)1/5b)1/4c)1/2d)2/3e)3/4Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
Explore Courses for GMAT exam

Top Courses for GMAT

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev