Consider the following sets of elements each: How many of these sets contain exactly two multiples of ?
- A)
- B)
- C)
- D)
- E)
Answer
B
Key insight
Every set of 10 holds one or two multiples of 7. There are 142 multiples in 100 sets, so 142 − 100 = 42 sets hold two.
Solution
Checking sets one by one is too slow. Instead, first work out how many multiples of a single set can hold, then use a total.
- At least one. Among any numbers in a row, one is a multiple of . Each set has numbers in a row, so it has at least one.
- At most two. Three multiples of in a row, like , stretch from the first to the last over steps. A set only stretches steps (from to , say). So a set never holds three.
- Examples. holds only . holds and . So every set holds exactly one or exactly two.
- The total. From to there are multiples of , because and is too big.
- Split the total. Give each of the sets one multiple first. That uses of them. The left over must go one each into different sets (a set cannot take a third). So sets have two.
The answer is .
Why this works
When you cannot easily track each group, find the smallest and largest amount one group can hold, then use the grand total. Here every group holds one or two, so the extra multiples beyond one per group tell you exactly how many groups hold two. This "count the same things two ways" trick turns a long check into one subtraction.
Alternative approach
Look for the repeating pattern. Multiples of repeat every numbers, which is sets. In to the multiples are . The sets – (), – () and – () hold two, so of every sets hold two. Fourteen full rounds cover to ( sets) and give . The last two sets, – and –, hold only and , one each. Total: .
The trap
Trying to track where the multiples of 7 fall set by set and losing count, instead of using the total.
Concise solution
Ten consecutive integers always include a multiple of (any seven consecutive integers do), and never three of them (that would need a span of at least ). So every set contains exactly one or exactly two multiples of .
The total number of multiples of from to is .
Let sets contain two multiples and contain one. Counting multiples of two ways,
The answer is .
Review in the AoPS books
- Introduction to Number Theory, Chapter 1: Integers: The Basics (§1.4, §1.5)
- Introduction to Counting & Probability, Chapter 1: Counting Is Arithmetic
- Introduction to Number Theory, Chapter 5: Divisor Problems (§5.2, §5.3)
- Introduction to Counting & Probability, Chapter 2: Basic Counting Techniques
Techniques
Bound the quantity above/below or estimate to pin it down · Set up the equation/formula and compute; no special trick needed