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jmc

number theory junior

Problem

For a certain natural number , gives a remainder of 4 when divided by 5, and gives a remainder of 2 when divided by 5. What remainder does give when divided by 5?
Solution
If two numbers give the same remainder when divided by 5, they are said to be equivalent, modulo 5. From to , we have multiplied by . Since is equivalent to 4 (modulo 5), and is equivalent to 2 (modulo 5), we are looking for an integer for which is equivalent to 2, modulo 5. Notice that if is greater than 4, then we can replace it with its remainder when divided by 5 without changing whether it satisfies the condition. Therefore, we may assume that . Trying 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, we find that only times 4 leaves a remainder of 2 when divided by 5.
Final answer
3