PSLE Letters V, H and N formed a patten as shown below.
V H V N V V H V N V V H V N V . . .
If there are 103 'V', what is the greatest possible number of letters in the pattern?
Number of letters in 1 set of V H V N V = 5
Number of letters 'V' in 1 set of V H V N V = 3
Number of sets of 3 'V' if there are 103 'V'
= 103 ÷ 3
= 34 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 H)
If the remainder is 2, there are 2 'V' and the largest possible number of letters is the final incomplete set is 4. (V H V N)
Greatest possible number of letters
= 34 x 5 + 2
= 170 + 2
= 172
Answer(s): 172