0
$\begingroup$

what is the remainder when 1!+2!+3!+4!+⋯+49! is divided by 7?

MyApproch:

By taking individual numbers as ($1$!+$2$!+$3$!+$4$!+⋯+$49$!)/$7$

I get $1$+$2$+$6$+$3$+$1$+$6$+$0$+$0$.....=$19$/$7$=$5$

But the approach will be too long.I am not able to figure out any other way

Can anyone guide me how to approach the problem?

$\endgroup$
5
  • 4
    $\begingroup$ Drop all summands that are already divisible by $7$ $\endgroup$ Nov 2, 2015 at 10:33
  • $\begingroup$ @HagenvonEitzen It will be too long.I couldn't follow this approach.If you think this is the last option.I will calculate $\endgroup$ Nov 2, 2015 at 10:34
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Hint: Your approach will not be too long. Keep going a bit further and find a pattern. $\endgroup$ Nov 2, 2015 at 10:35
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Evaluating 1+2+6+3+1+6+0+0+0+... mod 7 is not a superhuman task. $\endgroup$
    – Did
    Nov 2, 2015 at 10:37
  • $\begingroup$ Before reading your comment I started and I got pattern from @Michael burr hint.Thanku everyone $\endgroup$ Nov 2, 2015 at 10:38

2 Answers 2

6
$\begingroup$

For $k \geq 7$, we have $$7\; \vert\; k!.$$ Hence $$\sum_{k=1}^{49} k! = 1!+2!+3!+4!+5!+6!\equiv1+2+(-1)+3+1+(-1)\equiv5 \pmod{7}.$$

$\endgroup$
3
$\begingroup$

If you're concerned that evaluating the higher factorials will be time consuming, note that $5! + 6! = 5! \times (1 + 6) \equiv 0 \pmod 7$

$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .