PSLE Letters P, B and S formed a patten as shown below.
P B P S P P B P S P P B P S P . . .
If there are 76 'P', what is the greatest possible number of letters in the pattern?
Number of letters in 1 set of P B P S P = 5
Number of letters 'P' in 1 set of P B P S P = 3
Number of sets of 3 'P' if there are 76 'P'
= 76 ÷ 3
= 25 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 B)
If the remainder is 2, there are 2 'P' and the largest possible number of letters is the final incomplete set is 4. (P B P S)
Greatest possible number of letters
= 25 x 5 + 2
= 125 + 2
= 127
Answer(s): 127