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jmc

number theory intermediate

Problem

Jo is thinking of a positive integer less than 100. It is one less than a multiple of 8, and it is three less than a multiple of 7. What is the greatest possible integer Jo could be thinking of?
Solution
Let be the greatest possible integer Jo could be thinking of. We know and for some positive integers and . From this we see that , so is a multiple of 14. List some multiples of 14, in decreasing order: 112, 98, 84, 70, .... Since , 112 is too large, but 98 works: . Thus, .
Final answer
95