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