Problem Solving

oquiella wrote:If s and t are positive integers such that s/t= 64.12, which of the following could be the remainder when s is divided by t?

A. 2
B. 4
C. 8
D. 20
E. 45

Let's examine a few things about remainders and decimal conversions.
7/4 = 1 3/4 = 1.75. When we divide 7 by 4, the remainder is 3, and .75 = 3/4.
32/5 = 6 2/5 = 6.4. When we divide 32 by 5, the remainder is 2, and .4 = 2/5.
58/20 = 2 18/20 = 2.9. When we divide 58 by 20, the remainder is 18, and .9 = 18/20.
As you can see, there is an important relationship between the remainder and the decimal part of the conversion.

64.12 = 64 12/100 = 6412/100. So, it's possible that s/t = 6412/100, in which case the remainder is 12 when s is divided by t.
Check the answer choices. . . nope, 12 is not one of the options.

Also, recognize that 64.12 = 64 12/100 = 64 3/25 = 1603/25. So, it's possible that s/t = 1603/25, in which case the remainder is 3 when s is divided by t.
Check the answer choices. . . nope, 3 is not one of the options.

At this point, we should recognize that we can get ANY MULTIPLE OF 3 as the remainder.
For example, 64.12 = 64 12/100
= 64 3/25
= 64 6/50
= 3206/50 = s/t, in which case the remainder is 6 when s is divided by t.

Or...64.12 = 64 12/100
= 64 3/25
= 64 9/75
= 4809/75 = s/t, in which case the remainder is 9 when s is divided by t.

And so on.

Since only one answer choice (E) is A MULTIPLE OF 3, E must be the correct answer.

Aside: Here's further proof:
64.12 = 64 12/100
= 64 3/25
= 64 45/375
= 24045/375 = s/t, in which case the remainder is 45 when s is divided by t.


Answer: E

Cheers,
Brent

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