Modular arithmetic

There are 51 NRICH Mathematical resources connected to Modular arithmetic
Check Codes
problem

Check Codes

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
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Details are given of how check codes are constructed (using modulus arithmetic for passports, bank accounts, credit cards, ISBN book numbers, and so on. A list of codes is given and you have to check if they are valid identification numbers?
Obviously?
problem

Obviously?

Age
14 to 18
Challenge level
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Find the values of n for which 1^n + 8^n - 3^n - 6^n is divisible by 6.
Pythagoras mod 5
problem

Pythagoras mod 5

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Prove that for every right angled triangle which has sides with integer lengths: (1) the area of the triangle is even and (2) the length of one of the sides is divisible by 5.
Rational Round
problem

Rational Round

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Show that there are infinitely many rational points on the unit circle and no rational points on the circle x^2+y^2=3.
Dirisibly Yours
problem

Dirisibly Yours

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Find and explain a short and neat proof that 5^(2n+1) + 11^(2n+1) + 17^(2n+1) is divisible by 33 for every non negative integer n.
A One in Seven Chance
problem

A One in Seven Chance

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
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What is the remainder when 2^{164}is divided by 7?
Take Three From Five
problem

Take Three From Five

Age
11 to 16
Challenge level
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Caroline and James pick sets of five numbers. Charlie tries to find three that add together to make a multiple of three. Can they stop him?
The Best Card Trick?
problem

The Best Card Trick?

Age
11 to 16
Challenge level
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Time for a little mathemagic! Choose any five cards from a pack and show four of them to your partner. How can they work out the fifth?
Where can we visit?
problem

Where can we visit?

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
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Charlie and Abi put a counter on 42. They wondered if they could visit all the other numbers on their 1-100 board, moving the counter using just these two operations: x2 and -5. What do you think?
Two Much
problem

Two Much

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
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Explain why the arithmetic sequence 1, 14, 27, 40, ... contains many terms of the form 222...2 where only the digit 2 appears.