PSLE Letters V, N and M formed a patten as shown below.
V N V M V V N V M V V N V M V . . .
If there are 133 'V', what is the greatest possible number of letters in the pattern?
Number of letters in 1 set of V N V M V = 5
Number of letters 'V' in 1 set of V N V M V = 3
Number of sets of 3 'V' if there are 133 'V'
= 133 ÷ 3
= 44 r 1
If the remainder is 1, there is 1 'V' and the largest possible number of letters is the final incomplete set is 2. (V N)
If the remainder is 2, there are 2 'V' and the largest possible number of letters is the final incomplete set is 4. (V N V M)
Greatest possible number of letters
= 44 x 5 + 2
= 220 + 2
= 222
Answer(s): 222