Question
If the integers $$m$$ and $$n$$ are chosen at random between $$1$$ and $$100$$ then the probability that a number of the form $${7^m} + {7^n}$$ is divisible by $$5$$ is :
A.
$$\frac{1}{5}$$
B.
$$\frac{1}{7}$$
C.
$$\frac{1}{4}$$
D.
$$\frac{1}{{49}}$$
Answer :
$$\frac{1}{5}$$
Solution :
We know $${7^k},\,k\, \in \,N,$$ has $$1,\,3,\,9,\,7$$ at the units place for $$k = 4p,\,4p - 1,\,4p - 2,\,4p - 3$$ respectively, where $$p = 1,\,2,\,3,.....$$
Clearly, $${7^m} + {7^n}$$ will be divisible by $$5$$ if $${7^m}$$ has $$3$$ or $$7$$ in the units place and $${7^n}$$ has $$7$$ or $$3$$ in the units place or $${7^m}$$ has $$1$$ or $$9$$ in the units place and $${7^n}$$ has $$9$$ or $$1$$ in the units place.
$$\therefore $$ for any choice of $$m,\,n$$ the digit in the units place of $${7^m} + {7^n}$$ is $$2,\,4,\,6,\,0$$ or $$8.$$ It is divisible by $$5$$ only when this digit is $$0.$$
$$\therefore $$ the required probability $$ = \frac{1}{5}.$$