Question

How many pennies could you have if:

When you break the pennies into groups of 2, you have 1 penny left over AND when you break the pennies into groups of 3, you have 1 penny left over?

Answer 1

The number of pennies owned is 7 pennies

Explanation:

The given parameters are;

The number of pennies left over when we break the pennies into groups of 2s = 1 penny

The number of pennies left over when we break the pennies into groups of 3s = 1 penny

Let the number of pennies owned = c

What we are given are as follows;

2 × a = c - 1

3 × b = c - 1

2 × a = 3 × b

a/b = 3/2

Therefore, if we multiply 2 by 3, and 3 by 2 we get 6

2 × 3 = 6, similarly 3 × 2 = 6

If we put 6 = c - 1, we get;

c = 6 + 1 = 7

c = 7

The number of pennies owned = 7 pennies.