PSLE Letters D, V and P formed a patten as shown below.
D V D P D D V D P D D V D P D . . .
If there are 58 'D', what is the greatest possible number of letters in the pattern?
Number of letters in 1 set of D V D P D = 5
Number of letters 'D' in 1 set of D V D P D = 3
Number of sets of 3 'D' if there are 58 'D'
= 58 ÷ 3
= 19 r 1
If the remainder is 1, there is 1 'D' and the largest possible number of letters is the final incomplete set is 2. (D V)
If the remainder is 2, there are 2 'D' and the largest possible number of letters is the final incomplete set is 4. (D V D P)
Greatest possible number of letters
= 19 x 5 + 2
= 95 + 2
= 97
Answer(s): 97