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Question 1Number Theory
What is the value of gcd(84, 126)?
- 42 Correct answer.
- 6
- 21
- 84
Explanation
Using the Euclidean algorithm: 126 = 1·84 + 42, then 84 = 2·42 + 0, so the last nonzero remainder is 42. Equivalently, 84 = 2²·3·7 and 126 = 2·3²·7, and the gcd takes the minimum exponent of each prime, giving 2·3·7 = 42.
Question 2Number Theory
Which of the following integers is prime?
- 51
- 87
- 97 Correct answer.
- 91
Explanation
A number is prime when it has no divisor other than 1 and itself; it suffices to check primes up to its square root. Since √97 ≈ 9.8, we test 2, 3, 5 and 7, and none divides 97, so 97 is prime. The other three numbers each factor into smaller factors greater than 1.
Question 3Number Theory
An integer n satisfies n ≡ 3 (mod 7). What is the least nonnegative residue of n² modulo 7?
- 3
- 9
- 2 Correct answer.
- 6
Explanation
Squaring the congruence gives n² ≡ 3² = 9 (mod 7). Reducing 9 modulo 7 leaves 2, which is already the least nonnegative residue. This uses the rule that congruences may be multiplied term by term.
Question 4Number Theory
What is the remainder when 7⁴ is divided by 10?
- 9
- 1 Correct answer.
- 7
- 3
Explanation
Compute 7⁴ = 2401 directly, whose units digit is 1, so the remainder on division by 10 is 1. Equivalently, work modulo 10: 7² ≡ 49 ≡ 9, then 7⁴ ≡ 9² = 81 ≡ 1 (mod 10).
Question 5Number Theory
Which statement correctly describes a linear Diophantine equation ax + by = c with integer coefficients?
- It has integer solutions exactly when c divides gcd(a, b).
- It has integer solutions exactly when gcd(a, b) divides c. Correct answer.
- It has integer solutions only when a and b are coprime.
- It always has integer solutions for every integer c.
Explanation
Bézout's identity states that the set of integer combinations ax + by equals the set of multiples of gcd(a, b). Hence c is representable exactly when gcd(a, b) divides c, and when a solution exists all solutions follow from one particular solution.
Question 6Number Theory
The prime factorization of 360 is 2³·3²·5. How many positive divisors does 360 have?
- 18
- 30
- 24 Correct answer.
- 12
Explanation
If n = p₁^a₁···p_k^a_k, the number of positive divisors is the product (a₁+1)···(a_k+1). Here this is (3+1)(2+1)(1+1) = 4·3·2 = 24. Each divisor is determined uniquely by choosing an exponent from 0 to a_i for each prime.
Question 7Number Theory
What is the value of the Euler totient φ(12)?
- 4 Correct answer.
- 5
- 3
- 6
Explanation
φ(n) counts the integers from 1 to n that are coprime to n. Among 1 through 12, the numbers coprime to 12 are 1, 5, 7 and 11, so φ(12) = 4. The formula φ(12) = 12·(1−1/2)·(1−1/3) gives the same result.
Question 8Number Theory
Which pair of integers is a solution to the linear congruence 3x ≡ 1 (mod 7)?
- x = 4
- x = 2
- x = 5 Correct answer.
- x = 3
Explanation
Since gcd(3, 7) = 1, the congruence has a unique solution modulo 7. Testing values, 3·5 = 15 ≡ 1 (mod 7), so x ≡ 5 works; equivalently multiply both sides by the inverse 5 of 3 modulo 7 to get x ≡ 5.
Question 9Number Theory
By Fermat's little theorem, if p is prime and p does not divide a, then a^(p−1) is congruent to which value modulo p?
- 0
- p − 1
- 1 Correct answer.
- a
Explanation
Fermat's little theorem states that for prime p and integer a not divisible by p, a^(p−1) ≡ 1 (mod p). A standard proof multiplies the nonzero residues 1, 2, …, p−1 by a and observes that the resulting set is a permutation of the same residues.
Question 10Number Theory
What is the remainder when 3²⁰⁰ is divided by 7?
- 6
- 4 Correct answer.
- 1
- 2
Explanation
Since 3 is not divisible by 7, Fermat's little theorem gives 3⁶ ≡ 1 (mod 7). Writing 200 = 6·33 + 2, we get 3²⁰⁰ ≡ (3⁶)³³·3² ≡ 3² = 9 ≡ 2, so the remainder is 2.
Question 11Number Theory
Which of the following congruences has no integer solution?
- 4x ≡ 8 (mod 10)
- 4x ≡ 3 (mod 10) Correct answer.
- 4x ≡ 6 (mod 10)
- 6x ≡ 4 (mod 10)
Explanation
The congruence ax ≡ b (mod n) is solvable exactly when gcd(a, n) divides b. For 4x ≡ 3 (mod 10), gcd(4, 10) = 2 does not divide 3, so no solution exists. In the other three cases the gcd divides the right-hand side.
Question 12Number Theory
The Chinese remainder theorem is applied to a system of congruences x ≡ a (mod m) and x ≡ b (mod n). Which condition guarantees a unique solution modulo mn?
- m and n are both prime
- a and b are both odd
- m divides n
- gcd(m, n) = 1 Correct answer.
Explanation
The Chinese remainder theorem states that the system is solvable for every choice of a and b, with a unique solution modulo mn, exactly when the moduli are coprime, that is gcd(m, n) = 1. Coprimality lets us combine the two conditions independently.
Question 13Number Theory
Find the smallest positive integer x satisfying x ≡ 2 (mod 3) and x ≡ 3 (mod 5).
- 17
- 5
- 8 Correct answer.
- 12
Explanation
The numbers congruent to 3 modulo 5 are 3, 8, 13, 18, …; checking modulo 3, we find 8 ≡ 2 (mod 3). Since gcd(3, 5) = 1, the solution is unique modulo 15, so 8 is the smallest positive solution.
Question 14Number Theory
Which value equals φ(45)?
- 24 Correct answer.
- 36
- 18
- 30
Explanation
Since 45 = 3²·5, the totient is φ(45) = 45·(1−1/3)·(1−1/5) = 45·(2/3)·(4/5) = 24. Alternatively, φ(3²) = 6 and φ(5) = 4, and coprimality gives φ(45) = 6·4 = 24.
Question 15Number Theory
What is the least positive residue of 2¹⁰⁰ modulo 13?
- 6
- 9
- 3 Correct answer.
- 1
Explanation
Fermat's little theorem gives 2¹² ≡ 1 (mod 13) because 13 is prime and 2 is not divisible by 13. Since 100 = 12·8 + 4, we get 2¹⁰⁰ ≡ 2⁴ = 16 ≡ 3 (mod 13).
Question 16Number Theory
Using the Euclidean algorithm, find gcd(1071, 462).
- 147
- 7
- 3
- 21 Correct answer.
Explanation
Apply the algorithm: 1071 = 2·462 + 147, 462 = 3·147 + 21, 147 = 7·21 + 0. The last nonzero remainder is 21, so gcd(1071, 462) = 21. Checking the factorization, 1071 = 3·7·51 and 462 = 2·3·7·11, sharing 3·7.
Question 17Number Theory
What is the remainder when 5¹⁰⁰ is divided by 11?
- 1 Correct answer.
- 3
- 9
- 5
Explanation
Because 11 is prime and 5 is not divisible by 11, Fermat's little theorem gives 5¹⁰ ≡ 1 (mod 11). Since 100 is a multiple of 10, 5¹⁰⁰ = (5¹⁰)¹⁰ ≡ 1¹⁰ ≡ 1 (mod 11).
Question 18Number Theory
Which of the following numbers has exactly 6 positive divisors?
- 8
- 16
- 12 Correct answer.
- 18
Explanation
For 12 = 2²·3, the divisor count is (2+1)(1+1) = 6. The divisors are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12, which confirms the count.
Question 19Number Theory
What is the multiplicative inverse of 8 modulo 13?
- 4
- 7
- 2
- 5 Correct answer.
Explanation
We need 8x ≡ 1 (mod 13). Testing x = 5 gives 8·5 = 40 = 3·13 + 1 ≡ 1, so 5 is the inverse. Since gcd(8, 13) = 1 the inverse exists and is unique modulo 13.
Question 20Number Theory
Which statement is the contrapositive form of the claim 'if n² is even, then n is even'?
- If n² is odd, then n is odd. Correct answer.
- If n is odd, then n² is odd.
- If n is odd, then n² is even.
- If n is even, then n² is even.
Explanation
The contrapositive of 'P implies Q' is 'not Q implies not P'. Here P is 'n² is even' and Q is 'n is even', so the contrapositive is 'if n is not even, then n² is not even', that is, 'if n² is odd then n is odd'. The contrapositive is logically equivalent to the original claim.
Question 21Number Theory
How many solutions does the congruence x² ≡ 1 (mod 8) have among the residue classes modulo 8?
- 4 Correct answer.
- 2
- 3
- 1
Explanation
Checking residues 0 to 7, the squares modulo 8 are 0, 1, 4, 1, 0, 1, 4, 1, so x² ≡ 1 holds for x = 1, 3, 5 and 7. Thus there are four solutions, which shows that modulo a composite modulus a quadratic congruence can have more than two solutions.
Question 22Number Theory
A positive integer n is congruent to 2 modulo 4. What can be concluded about n?
- n is not a perfect square. Correct answer.
- n can be written as a sum of two squares of integers.
- n is prime.
- n divides 2ⁿ − 2.
Explanation
Every perfect square is congruent to 0 or 1 modulo 4, since even squares give 0 and odd squares give 1. A number congruent to 2 modulo 4 therefore cannot be a square. For instance 6, 10 and 14 are all nonsquares.
Question 23Number Theory
Which congruence class is the solution set of 6x ≡ 9 (mod 15)?
- x ≡ 2 (mod 5)
- x ≡ 3 (mod 5)
- x ≡ 1 (mod 5)
- x ≡ 4 (mod 5) Correct answer.
Explanation
Since gcd(6, 15) = 3 divides 9, solutions exist and form three classes modulo 15. Dividing the congruence and modulus by 3 gives 2x ≡ 3 (mod 5), and multiplying by the inverse 3 of 2 modulo 5 gives x ≡ 9 ≡ 4 (mod 5).
Question 24Number Theory
Let p be an odd prime. Wilson's theorem states that (p−1)! is congruent to which value modulo p?
- 0
- p − 2
- 1
- −1 Correct answer.
Explanation
Wilson's theorem says (p−1)! ≡ −1 (mod p) for every prime p. The proof pairs each residue a with its inverse modulo p; all pairs cancel except 1 and −1, whose product is −1.
Question 25Number Theory
The number 2¹¹ − 1 = 2047 equals 23·89. Which conclusion follows for the primality test based on the converse of Fermat's little theorem?
- 2047 is prime because 23 and 89 are both prime.
- A base-2 Fermat test would wrongly suggest primality, since 2²⁰⁴⁶ ≡ 1 (mod 2047). Correct answer.
- A base-2 Fermat test correctly detects the compositeness of 2047.
- 2047 is prime because 2¹¹ − 1 is a Mersenne number.
Explanation
The converse of Fermat's little theorem fails in general: a composite n can satisfy 2^(n−1) ≡ 1 (mod n). The number 2047 is such a base-2 pseudoprime, so a Fermat test with base 2 passes it even though 2047 = 23·89 is composite.
Question 26Number Theory
Which of the following is the prime factorization of 504?
- 2² · 3² · 7
- 2³ · 3² · 7 Correct answer.
- 2³ · 3 · 7
- 2⁴ · 3 · 7
Explanation
Divide 504 repeatedly by primes: 504 = 8 · 63 = 2³ · 3² · 7. Since 2, 3, and 7 are all prime and the exponents are maximal, this is the complete factorization.
Question 27Number Theory
Compute gcd(252, 105) using the Euclidean algorithm.
- 21 Correct answer.
- 7
- 3
- 105
Explanation
The Euclidean algorithm gives 252 = 2·105 + 42, then 105 = 2·42 + 21, then 42 = 2·21 + 0. The last nonzero remainder is 21, so gcd(252, 105) = 21.
Question 28Number Theory
Which integer is the multiplicative inverse of 5 modulo 17?
- 3
- 12
- 5
- 7 Correct answer.
Explanation
We need 5x ≡ 1 (mod 17). Since 5 · 7 = 35 = 2·17 + 1, the product is congruent to 1 modulo 17, so 7 is the inverse of 5.
Question 29Number Theory
Which of the following is a reduced residue system modulo 9?
- {1, 3, 5, 7}
- {1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8} Correct answer.
- {2, 4, 6, 8}
- {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8}
Explanation
A reduced residue system modulo 9 contains exactly the classes coprime to 9, of which there are φ(9) = 6: namely 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8. Each is relatively prime to 9, and every other class shares a factor with 9.
Question 30Number Theory
How many solutions does the congruence 4x ≡ 6 (mod 10) have modulo 10?
- 0
- 1
- 2 Correct answer.
- 5
Explanation
The congruence ax ≡ b (mod m) is solvable exactly when gcd(a, m) divides b, and then it has gcd(a, m) solutions. Here gcd(4, 10) = 2 divides 6, so there are 2 solutions, namely x ≡ 4 and x ≡ 9 (mod 10).
Question 31Number Theory
What is the value of φ(36)?
- 6
- 24
- 18
- 12 Correct answer.
Explanation
Since 36 = 2² · 3², the totient formula gives φ(36) = 36 · (1 − 1/2) · (1 − 1/3) = 36 · 1/2 · 2/3 = 12. Equivalently, φ(4) · φ(9) = 2 · 6 = 12.
Question 32Number Theory
What is the least positive residue of 3⁴⁵ modulo 11?
- 5
- 3
- 1 Correct answer.
- 9
Explanation
By Fermat's little theorem, 3¹⁰ ≡ 1 (mod 11) since 11 is prime and does not divide 3. Because 45 = 4·10 + 5, we get 3⁴⁵ ≡ 3⁵ = 243 ≡ 1 (mod 11).
Question 33Number Theory
Solve the system x ≡ 1 (mod 4) and x ≡ 2 (mod 5) for the least positive integer x.
- 13
- 9
- 7
- 17 Correct answer.
Explanation
Candidates congruent to 1 modulo 4 are 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, and so on. Among these, 17 is the smallest that is congruent to 2 modulo 5, since 17 = 3·5 + 2. The Chinese remainder theorem guarantees a unique solution modulo 20.
Question 34Number Theory
What is the remainder when 7²⁰ is divided by 100?
- 49
- 7
- 43
- 1 Correct answer.
Explanation
Since gcd(7, 100) = 1, Euler's theorem with φ(100) = 40 gives 7⁴⁰ ≡ 1 (mod 100). But 7²⁰ ≡ 1 (mod 100) as well, because 7⁴ = 2401 ≡ 1 (mod 100) and 20 is a multiple of 4, so 7²⁰ = (7⁴)⁵ ≡ 1.
Question 35Number Theory
Which of the following congruences is solvable for x?
- x² ≡ 5 (mod 7)
- x² ≡ 3 (mod 7)
- x² ≡ 2 (mod 7) Correct answer.
- x² ≡ 6 (mod 7)
Explanation
The nonzero quadratic residues modulo 7 are 1, 2, and 4, obtained by squaring 1, 2, and 3. Since 2 is among them (3² = 9 ≡ 2), the congruence x² ≡ 2 (mod 7) has the solutions x ≡ 3 and x ≡ 4.
Question 36Number Theory
Using the Legendre symbol, what is (3/7)?
- 0
- 1
- −1 Correct answer.
- 3
Explanation
Squaring the residues modulo 7 gives the set {1, 2, 4}, so 3 is a quadratic nonresidue and (3/7) = −1. This agrees with Euler's criterion, since 3³ = 27 ≡ 6 ≡ −1 (mod 7).
Question 37Number Theory
What is the remainder when 3²⁰²⁴ is divided by 13?
- 9
- 4
- 1
- 3 Correct answer.
Explanation
Fermat's little theorem gives 3¹² ≡ 1 (mod 13). Since 2024 = 12·168 + 8, we get 3²⁰²⁴ ≡ 3⁸ = 6561, and 6561 = 504·13 + 9, so the remainder is 9.
Question 38Number Theory
Which positive integer n is the smallest for which φ(n) = 8?
- 15 Correct answer.
- 16
- 24
- 30
Explanation
Checking values in order: φ(15) = 8 since 15 = 3 · 5 and φ(15) = 2 · 4 = 8. All smaller n have φ(n) ≠ 8, so 15 is the least solution.
Question 39Number Theory
What is the remainder when 2¹⁰⁰⁰ is divided by 17?
- 4
- 16
- 2
- 1 Correct answer.
Explanation
Since 17 is prime and does not divide 2, Fermat's little theorem gives 2¹⁶ ≡ 1 (mod 17). Because 1000 = 16·62 + 8, we need 2⁸ = 256, and 256 = 15·17 + 1, so the remainder is 1.
Question 40Number Theory
Which statement correctly describes a consequence of Euler's theorem for composite moduli?
- If gcd(a, n) = 1, then a^n ≡ 1 (mod n) for every n.
- If gcd(a, n) > 1, then a^φ(n) ≡ 1 (mod n).
- For every integer a, a^φ(n) ≡ 1 (mod n).
- If gcd(a, n) = 1, then a^φ(n) ≡ 1 (mod n). Correct answer.
Explanation
Euler's theorem states that when a is coprime to n, raising a to the power φ(n) yields 1 modulo n. The coprimality hypothesis is essential; without it the conclusion can fail, as with a = 2 and n = 4, where 2² = 4 ≡ 0 (mod 4).
Question 41Algebra
Which statement best describes the set of rational numbers under addition?
- It is closed, associative, and contains an additive identity and inverses. Correct answer.
- It is closed only when the fractions share a common denominator.
- It is closed under addition but not commutative.
- It is closed and associative but lacks additive inverses.
Explanation
The rationals form an abelian group under addition: the sum of two rationals is rational, addition is associative and commutative, 0 is the identity, and every rational q has inverse −q. No further restriction such as common denominators is needed.
Question 42Algebra
Simplify the expression (x^3 · x^5) / x^2, where x ≠ 0.
- x^6 Correct answer.
- x^7
- x^5
- x^4
Explanation
Multiplying powers with the same base adds exponents, giving x^8, and dividing subtracts the exponent of the divisor, giving x^(8−2) = x^6. The restriction x ≠ 0 keeps the division valid.
Question 43Algebra
Which expression is a factor of the polynomial x^2 − 5x + 6?
- x − 2 Correct answer.
- x + 2
- x − 6
- x + 6
Explanation
The quadratic factors as (x − 2)(x − 3), since the two numbers multiplying to 6 and summing to −5 are −2 and −3. Hence x − 2 divides the polynomial exactly.
Question 44Algebra
Solve the linear equation 3(x − 4) = 2x + 5.
- x = −7
- x = 7
- x = 17 Correct answer.
- x = 1
Explanation
Expanding gives 3x − 12 = 2x + 5. Subtracting 2x from both sides gives x − 12 = 5, and adding 12 gives x = 17. Checking: 3(13) = 39 and 2(17) + 5 = 39.
Question 45Algebra
What is the slope of the line passing through the points (2, 5) and (6, 13)?
- 1/2
- 2 Correct answer.
- 8
- 4
Explanation
Slope equals the change in y divided by the change in x: (13 − 5)/(6 − 2) = 8/4 = 2. The line rises two units vertically for every one unit horizontally.
Question 46Algebra
Which value equals log base 2 of 32?
- 5 Correct answer.
- 16
- 6
- 4
Explanation
The logarithm asks for the exponent to which the base must be raised: 2^5 = 32, so log₂32 = 5. Logarithms and exponentials are inverse operations.
Question 47Algebra
Factor the difference of squares 9x^2 − 25 completely over the integers.
- (3x − 5)(3x + 5) Correct answer.
- (3x − 5)^2
- (9x − 5)(x + 5)
- (3x − 25)(3x + 1)
Explanation
The expression is a difference of squares a^2 − b^2 with a = 3x and b = 5, which factors as (a − b)(a + b) = (3x − 5)(3x + 5). Expanding confirms 9x^2 − 25.
Question 48Algebra
Which set is the solution of the inequality −2x + 1 < 9?
- x < −4
- x < 4
- x > 4
- x > −4 Correct answer.
Explanation
Subtracting 1 gives −2x < 8. Dividing by −2 reverses the inequality, giving x > −4. Reversing the direction when dividing by a negative number is essential.
Question 49Algebra
If f(x) = 2x^2 − 3x + 1, what is f(−2)?
- 3
- −1
- 15 Correct answer.
- 11
Explanation
Substituting x = −2 gives 2(4) − 3(−2) + 1 = 8 + 6 + 1 = 15. Care is needed because squaring a negative gives a positive and subtracting a negative adds.
Question 50Algebra
The quadratic equation x^2 + kx + 9 = 0 has exactly one real solution. What are the possible values of k?
- k = 3 or k = −3
- k = 9 only
- k = 81 or k = −81
- k = 6 or k = −6 Correct answer.
Explanation
A quadratic has exactly one real root when its discriminant b^2 − 4ac equals zero. Here k^2 − 36 = 0, so k^2 = 36 and k = ±6.