UPSC Prelims 2021·CSAT·Quantitative Aptitude·Number System

Consider all 3-digit numbers (without repetition of digits) obtained using three non-zero digits which are multiples of 3. Let S be their sum. Which of the following is/are correct? 1. S is always divisible by 74. 2. S is always divisible by 9. select the correct answer using the code given below:

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  1. A1 only
  2. B2 only
  3. CBoth 1 and 2Correct
  4. DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

The three non-zero digits that are multiples of 3 are 3, 6, and 9. Let these digits be d1, d2, d3. The sum of these digits is d1 + d2 + d3 = 3 + 6 + 9 = 18. When three distinct digits are used to form all possible 3-digit numbers without repetition, the sum (S) of these numbers can be calculated as: S = 2 * (d1 + d2 + d3) * (100 + 10 + 1) S = 2 * (sum of digits) * 111 Substitute the sum of digits: S = 2 * 18 * 111 S = 36 * 111 S = 3996 Now, let's analyze each statement: Statement 1: S is always divisible by 74. We have S = 3996. Divide S by 74: 3996 / 74 = 54. Since 3996 is perfectly divisible by 74, statement 1 is correct for this specific set of digits. Generalization: S = 2 * (sum of digits) * 111 = 2 * (sum of digits) * 3 * 37 = 6 * (sum of digits) * 37. We can write 37 as 74/2. So, S = 6 * (sum of digits) * (74/2) = 3 * (sum of digits) * 74. This shows that S is always divisible by 74, regardless of the specific non-zero digits, as long as they are distinct. Statement 2: S is always divisible by 9. We have S = 3996. To check divisibility by 9, sum the digits of S: 3 + 9 + 9 + 6 = 27. Since 27 is divisible by 9, S (3996) is divisible by 9. So, statement 2 is correct for this specific set of digits. Generalization: The problem states that the three digits are non-zero multiples of 3. Let these digits be 3k1, 3k2, 3k3 (where k1, k2, k3 are distinct integers from {1, 2, 3}). The sum of these digits (d1 + d2 + d3) will always be a multiple of 3. For example, 3+6+9 = 18 (a multiple of 3). S = 6 * (sum of digits) * 37. Since (sum of digits) is a multiple of 3, let (sum of digits) = 3M for some integer M. Then S = 6 * (3M) * 37 = 18M * 37. Since S has a factor of 18, S is always divisible by 9 (as 18 is divisible by 9). Both statements 1 and 2 are correct. The final answer is C
Quantitative Aptitude: Consider all 3-digit numbers (without repetition of digits) obtained using three non-zero digits which are multiples of

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