What is the remainder when 27 27 - 15 27 is divided by 6?
0
Understanding the Remainder Problem
The question asks for the remainder when a mathematical expression, specifically \(27^{27} - 15^{27}\), is divided by 6. This type of problem is best solved using the principles of modular arithmetic. Modular arithmetic helps us work with remainders efficiently, especially with large numbers and exponents.
Applying Modular Arithmetic to the Bases
To find the remainder of the entire expression when divided by 6, we first need to consider the remainders of the bases, 27 and 15, when they are divided by 6.
- For 27: When 27 is divided by 6, we get \(27 = 4 \times 6 + 3\). So, the remainder is 3. In modular notation, we write this as \(27 \equiv 3 \pmod{6}\).
- For 15: When 15 is divided by 6, we get \(15 = 2 \times 6 + 3\). So, the remainder is also 3. In modular notation, we write this as \(15 \equiv 3 \pmod{6}\).
Using Congruence Properties with Exponents
A key property of modular arithmetic states that if two numbers are congruent modulo a number \(m\), then their positive integer powers are also congruent modulo \(m\). Mathematically, if \(a \equiv b \pmod{m}\), then \(a^n \equiv b^n \pmod{m}\) for any positive integer \(n\).
In our case, we have:
- \(27 \equiv 3 \pmod{6}\). Applying the property with \(n=27\), we get \(27^{27} \equiv 3^{27} \pmod{6}\).
- \(15 \equiv 3 \pmod{6}\). Applying the property with \(n=27\), we get \(15^{27} \equiv 3^{27} \pmod{6}\).
Calculating the Remainder of the Expression
Now we need to find the remainder of the difference, \(27^{27} - 15^{27}\), when divided by 6. Using the congruences we found:
\(27^{27} - 15^{27} \equiv (3^{27}) - (3^{27}) \pmod{6}\)
The expression simplifies to:
\(27^{27} - 15^{27} \equiv 0 \pmod{6}\)
This means that the remainder when \(27^{27} - 15^{27}\) is divided by 6 is 0.
Summary of Steps
Let's summarize the process:
- Find the remainder of the bases (27 and 15) when divided by 6.
- Use the property of modular arithmetic for exponents: if \(a \equiv b \pmod{m}\), then \(a^n \equiv b^n \pmod{m}\).
- Substitute the congruent values into the original expression modulo 6.
- Calculate the resulting expression modulo 6 to find the final remainder.
| Step | Calculation | Result Modulo 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Base 27 | \(27 \pmod{6}\) | 3 |
| Base 15 | \(15 \pmod{6}\) | 3 |
| Power 27 (\(27^{27}\)) | \(27^{27} \equiv 3^{27} \pmod{6}\) | \(3^{27} \pmod{6}\) |
| Power 27 (\(15^{27}\)) | \(15^{27} \equiv 3^{27} \pmod{6}\) | \(3^{27} \pmod{6}\) |
| Difference | \(27^{27} - 15^{27} \equiv 3^{27} - 3^{27} \pmod{6}\) | \(0 \pmod{6}\) |
The final remainder is 0.
Revision Table: Key Concepts
| Concept | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Modular Arithmetic | A system of arithmetic for integers, where numbers "wrap around" upon reaching a certain value (the modulus). It's focused on remainders. | \(17 \equiv 5 \pmod{12}\) (17 hours after 12 o'clock is 5 o'clock) |
| Congruence | Two integers \(a\) and \(b\) are congruent modulo \(m\) if their difference \(a-b\) is divisible by \(m\), or if they have the same remainder when divided by \(m\). | \(27 \equiv 15 \pmod{6}\) because \(27-15 = 12\), which is divisible by 6. Also, \(27 \div 6\) has remainder 3, and \(15 \div 6\) has remainder 3. |
| Congruence of Powers | If \(a \equiv b \pmod{m}\), then \(a^n \equiv b^n \pmod{m}\) for any positive integer \(n\). | Since \(2 \equiv 5 \pmod{3}\), then \(2^2 \equiv 5^2 \pmod{3}\) (\(4 \equiv 25 \pmod{3}\), \(1 \equiv 1 \pmod{3}\)). |
Additional Information on Modular Arithmetic
Modular arithmetic is a fundamental tool in number theory and has applications in cryptography, computer science, and other fields. It simplifies calculations involving large numbers by focusing only on their remainders.
Some basic properties include:
- Addition: If \(a \equiv b \pmod{m}\) and \(c \equiv d \pmod{m}\), then \(a+c \equiv b+d \pmod{m}\).
- Subtraction: If \(a \equiv b \pmod{m}\) and \(c \equiv d \pmod{m}\), then \(a-c \equiv b-d \pmod{m}\).
- Multiplication: If \(a \equiv b \pmod{m}\) and \(c \equiv d \pmod{m}\), then \(a \times c \equiv b \times d \pmod{m}\).
In our problem, we used the subtraction property after applying the power property to simplify \(27^{27} - 15^{27}\) modulo 6.
Important Questions from Divisibility and Remainder
What is the sum of the digits of the least number which when divided by 12, 16 and 20 leaves the same remainder 6 in each case and it is divisible by 9?
As nine-digit number 89563x87y is divisible by 72. What is the value of \(\sqrt{7x-3y}\) ?
The greatest number that on dividing 2675 and 2320 leaves the reminder 5 and 6 ,respectively is :
Find the greatest number that exactly divides 2880, 6525 and 8307.
If a 10 - digit number 643x1145y2 is divisible by 88, then the value of (2x - 3y) for the largest value of y is :
