Hi,
This seems too tough for GMAT level. Not to say that such types of sums cannot be asked. It could be asked with easier numbers.
a. Instead of 133, the question could have asked for the reminder when 2 ^ 127 is divided by 127.
Here, one could use remainder theorem.
The denominator 127 = 2^7 - 1.
127 = 126 + 1 = (7 times 18) + 1
So, 2 ^ 127 = 2 ^ ((7 times 18) + 1)
= ((2^7) ^ 18 ) times 2.
This is the equivalent of finding the remainder when P(x) = 2 * (x ^ 18) is divided by (x-1), where x = 2^7.
The remainder in this case will be P(1) = 2 times (1 ^ 18) = 2.
b. Anyways, in this question, when 2^p is divided by 133, the remainders repeat with a cyclicality of 18.
Mod (133, 18) = 7.
Hence, the remainder when 2^133 is divided by 133 is same as the remainder when 2^7 is divided by 133. Hence, answer = 128.
Hope this helps. Thanks.[/spoiler]
Naveenan Ramachandran
4GMAT, Dadar(W) & Ghatkopar(W), Mumbai