Vidyalelo
Aptitude · Q60

Number System

Competitive Exams · Aptitude · question 60

Q60

The highest power of 17 which can divide exactly the following: (182 - 1) (184 - 1) (186 - 1) (188 - 1) . . . . (1816 - 1) (1818 - 1) is :

A.
1
B.
17
C.
9
Answer
D.
13
E.
Cannot determined

Answer: Option C

Solution

Answer: Option C
Solution:
Total number of terms in expression = 9
(182 - 1) = (18 - 1) × (18 + 1)
(184 - 1) = (182 + 1) × (182 - 1) = (182 + 1) × (18 - 1) × (18 + 1)
(186 - 1) = [(183)2 -1] = (183 + 1) (183 - 1) = 17 × k and so on.
Hence, there will be 9 times 17 in the whole expression as each term of expression gives one 17. Therefore for maximum power of 17 will be 9.