If n is a positive integer between 1 and 99, inclusive, what is the probability that n(n+1) is a multiple of 3?
1) 1/4
2) 1/3
3) 1/2
4) 2/3
5) 5/6
5-Day Free Trial
5-day free, full-access trial TTP
Available with Beat the GMAT members only code
MORE DETAILS
probability
This topic has expert replies
-
karthik1239
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:17 am
-
GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 13060 times
- Followed by:1906 members
- GMAT Score:790
For n(n+1) to be a multiple of 3, either n or n+1 must be a multiple of 3.grandh01 wrote:If n is a positive integer between 1 and 99, inclusive, what is the probability that n(n+1) is a multiple of 3?
1) 1/4
2) 1/3
3) 1/2
4) 2/3
5) 5/6
n, n+1, and n+2 are 3 consecutive integers.
Of every 3 consecutive integers, exactly ONE is a multiple of 3.
Thus, P(n+2 is a multiple of 3) = 1/3.
Thus, P(either n or n+1 is a multiple of 3) = 2/3.
The correct answer is D.
Another approach is to WRITE IT OUT and LOOK FOR A PATTERN:
1*2
2*3
3*4
4*5
5*6
6*7
7*8
8*9
9*10
10*11
11*12
12*13
And so on.
The products in red show that, in 2 of every 3 cases, n(n+1) is a multiple of 3.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
-
kalpita123
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Sun Mar 14, 2010 12:20 pm
- Thanked: 3 times
Hi Mitch,GMATGuruNY wrote:For n(n+1) to be a multiple of 3, either n or n+1 must be a multiple of 3.grandh01 wrote:If n is a positive integer between 1 and 99, inclusive, what is the probability that n(n+1) is a multiple of 3?
1) 1/4
2) 1/3
3) 1/2
4) 2/3
5) 5/6
n, n+1, and n+2 are 3 consecutive integers.
Of every 3 consecutive integers, exactly ONE is a multiple of 3.
Thus, P(n+2 is a multiple of 3) = 1/3.
Thus, P(either n or n+1 is a multiple of 3) = 2/3.
The correct answer is D.
Another approach is to WRITE IT OUT and LOOK FOR A PATTERN:
1*2
2*3
3*4
4*5
5*6
6*7
7*8
8*9
9*10
10*11
11*12
12*13
And so on.
The products in red show that, in 2 of every 3 cases, n(n+1) is a multiple of 3.
Could you please solve the below problem with the former method (your first approach to the previous problem) ? I am able to do this with the second approach you have mentioned.
If n is an integer from 1 to 96 (inclusive), what is the probability that n*(n+1)*(n+2) is divisible by 8?
A.1/4
B.1/2
C.5/8
D.7/8
E.3/4
ans- C
-
GMATGuruNY
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 15539
- Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
- Location: New York, NY
- Thanked: 13060 times
- Followed by:1906 members
- GMAT Score:790
Case 1: n(n+1)(n+2) = even*odd*even = multiple of 8:kalpita123 wrote:
Hi Mitch,
Could you please solve the below problem with the former method (your first approach to the previous problem) ? I am able to do this with the second approach you have mentioned.
If n is an integer from 1 to 96 (inclusive), what is the probability that n*(n+1)*(n+2) is divisible by 8?
A.1/4
B.1/2
C.5/8
D.7/8
E.3/4
Since every other even integer is a multiple of 4, the product here will always include an even integer and a multiple of 4, resulting in a multiple of 8.
Thus, n can be any even integer between 1 and 96.
96/2 = 48 favorable choices for n.
Case 2: n+1 is a multiple of 8:
The product will be a multiple of 8 if n+1 is a multiple of 8.
Number of multiples of 8 between 1 and 96 = 96/8 = 12.
Thus, there are 12 favorable choices for n+1, implying that there are 12 more favorable choices for n.
Total favorable choices for n = 48+12 = 60.
Favorable choices/Total choices = 60/96 = 5/8.
The correct answer is C.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3
-
eagleeye
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 520
- Joined: Sat Apr 28, 2012 9:12 pm
- Thanked: 339 times
- Followed by:49 members
- GMAT Score:770
This is how I typically do them.grandh01 wrote:If n is a positive integer between 1 and 99, inclusive, what is the probability that n(n+1) is a multiple of 3?
Step 1: Check that total number is a multiple of 3. (99-1+1 = 99) is. We are good.
Step 2: Since we need to check 3, write down the first 3 numbers.
1.2.3.
Step 3: Just count the pairs ( n*(n+1) )starting with each number and see how many are divisible by 3.
Here the pairs are:
1*2 - no.
2*3 - yes.
3*next number - yes.
So we get 2 out of 3 pairs working. Probability required =2/3.
Here again, repeat the same steps.If n is an integer from 1 to 96 (inclusive), what is the probability that n*(n+1)*(n+2) is divisible by 8
Step 1: Check the total number is a multiple of 8. (96-1+1 = 96 = 12*8). It is. We are good.
Step 2: Write down the first 8 numbers starting from the first number (In this case it is 1, since 1 to 96 inclusive is our working part).
1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.
Step 3: Count the triplets ( n*(n+1)*(n+2) ) starting with the first number.
1*2*3 - no.
2*3*4 - yes.
3*4*5 - no.
4*5*6 - yes.
5*6*7 - no.
6*7*8 - yes.
7*8*9 - yes.
8*9*10 - yes.
So we get 5 out of 8 triplets working. Required probability = 5/8.
Cheers!
* Probability of n(n+1) being multipole of 3
It's the probability of n being multiple of 3 or n+1 being a multiple of 3
=P(n)+P(n+1)=2*P(n)
P(n)=1/3 (out of 3 consequitive integers one is multiple of 3)
The answer is 2/3
* Probability of n(n+1)(n+2) being multiple of 8
It's the probability that n is multiple of 2 P2(n)
or
n+1 is multiple of 8 P8(n+1)
P2(n)=1/2
P8(n+1)=1/8
1/2+1/8=5/8
Note that if n is an even number, that n(n+2) will always be a multiple of 8
It's the probability of n being multiple of 3 or n+1 being a multiple of 3
=P(n)+P(n+1)=2*P(n)
P(n)=1/3 (out of 3 consequitive integers one is multiple of 3)
The answer is 2/3
* Probability of n(n+1)(n+2) being multiple of 8
It's the probability that n is multiple of 2 P2(n)
or
n+1 is multiple of 8 P8(n+1)
P2(n)=1/2
P8(n+1)=1/8
1/2+1/8=5/8
Note that if n is an even number, that n(n+2) will always be a multiple of 8
Hi
In the question n(n+1)(n+2) why don't we consider the overlapping probability. when both events can happen together we subtract the overlapping probability. In this question a number can both be an even number and a multiple of 8. I am a bit confused why dont we solve it that way.?
In the question n(n+1)(n+2) why don't we consider the overlapping probability. when both events can happen together we subtract the overlapping probability. In this question a number can both be an even number and a multiple of 8. I am a bit confused why dont we solve it that way.?
-
DavidG@VeritasPrep
- Legendary Member
- Posts: 2663
- Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2015 8:25 am
- Location: Boston, MA
- Thanked: 1153 times
- Followed by:128 members
- GMAT Score:770
If you're referring to Mitch's approach, there's no overlap. In the first case, n is EVEN. In the second case, n + 1 is a multiple of 8. Anytime n + 1 is a multiple of 8: 8, 16, 24..., n will have to be ODD (7, 15, 23,...)info2 wrote:Hi
In the question n(n+1)(n+2) why don't we consider the overlapping probability. when both events can happen together we subtract the overlapping probability. In this question a number can both be an even number and a multiple of 8. I am a bit confused why dont we solve it that way.?
-
Matt@VeritasPrep
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 2630
- Joined: Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:32 pm
- Location: East Bay all the way
- Thanked: 625 times
- Followed by:119 members
- GMAT Score:780
It can, but we're only consideringinfo2 wrote:Hi
In the question n(n+1)(n+2) why don't we consider the overlapping probability. when both events can happen together we subtract the overlapping probability. In this question a number can both be an even number and a multiple of 8. I am a bit confused why dont we solve it that way.?
n even
OR
(n + 1) a multiple of 8
and those CAN'T overlap, since if n is even, (n + 1) must be odd and hence not a multiple of 8.
You're thinking the right way, though: overlapping sets are critical (and common) in probability in general.
GMAT/MBA Expert
-
[email protected]
- Elite Legendary Member
- Posts: 10392
- Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
- Location: Palo Alto, CA
- Thanked: 2867 times
- Followed by:511 members
- GMAT Score:800
Hi All,
Sequence prompts on the GMAT will follow type of pattern; your ability to figure out that pattern might be essential to the question (such as this question) or helpful in finding an easy approach to answering whatever specific question that the prompt asks for.
You can figure out the first few numbers in the sequence pretty easily...
N=1; 1(1+1) is NOT a multiple of 3
N=2; 2(2+1) IS a multiple of 3
N=3; 3(3+1) iS a multiple of 3
Now go just a little further....
N=4; 4(4+1) is NOT a multiple of 3
N=5; 5(5+1) IS a multiple of 3
N=6; 6(6+1) IS a multiple of 3
Now we can see the sequence: NOT, IS, IS, NOT, IS, IS
So, 2 out of every 3 numbers in the sequence will give you a multiple of 3. This pattern repeats. Working up to 99, we would have 33 "sets" of NOT/IS/IS.
It will clearly be 2/3.
Final Answer: D
Keep this logic/approach in mind, especially if you don't immediately see the pattern behind a question. There's NO time to stare on Test Day; you're better served brute-forcing your way through this question and discovering the pattern than hoping that it will just "come to you."
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Sequence prompts on the GMAT will follow type of pattern; your ability to figure out that pattern might be essential to the question (such as this question) or helpful in finding an easy approach to answering whatever specific question that the prompt asks for.
You can figure out the first few numbers in the sequence pretty easily...
N=1; 1(1+1) is NOT a multiple of 3
N=2; 2(2+1) IS a multiple of 3
N=3; 3(3+1) iS a multiple of 3
Now go just a little further....
N=4; 4(4+1) is NOT a multiple of 3
N=5; 5(5+1) IS a multiple of 3
N=6; 6(6+1) IS a multiple of 3
Now we can see the sequence: NOT, IS, IS, NOT, IS, IS
So, 2 out of every 3 numbers in the sequence will give you a multiple of 3. This pattern repeats. Working up to 99, we would have 33 "sets" of NOT/IS/IS.
It will clearly be 2/3.
Final Answer: D
Keep this logic/approach in mind, especially if you don't immediately see the pattern behind a question. There's NO time to stare on Test Day; you're better served brute-forcing your way through this question and discovering the pattern than hoping that it will just "come to you."
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
