Polynomials - PSAT Math

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Question

If a positive integer a is divided by 7, the remainder is 4. What is the remainder if 3_a_ + 5 is divided by 3?

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Answer

The best way to solve this problem is to plug in an appropriate value for a. For example, plug-in 11 for a because 11 divided by 7 will give us a remainder of 4.

Then 3_a + 5_, where a = 11, gives us 38. Then 38 divided by 3 gives a remainder of 2.

The algebra method is as follows:

a divided by 7 gives us some positive integer b, with a remainder of 4.

Thus,

a / 7 = b 4/7

a / 7 = (7_b +_ 4) / 7

a = (7_b_ + 4)

then 3_a + 5 =_ 3 (7_b_ + 4) + 5

(3_a_+5)/3 = \[3(7_b_ + 4) + 5\] / 3

= (7_b_ + 4) + 5/3

The first half of this expression (7_b_ + 4) is a positive integer, but the second half of this expression (5/3) gives us a remainder of 2.

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