An army contingent of 616 members is to march behind an army band of 32 members in a parade. The two groups are to march in the same number of columns. What is the maximum number of columns in which they can march?
Question:
An army contingent of 616 members is to march behind an army band of 32 members in a parade. The two groups are to march in the same number of columns. What is the maximum number of columns in which they can march?
Solution:
We are given that an army contingent of 616 members is to march behind an army band of 32 members in a parade. The two groups are to march in the same number of columns. We need to find the maximum number of columns in which they can march.
Members in army = 616
Members in band = 32.
Therefore,
Maximum number of columns = H.C.F of 616 and 32.
By applying Euclid’s division lemma
$616=32 \times 19+8$
$32=8 \times 4+0$
Therefore, H.C.F. = 8
Hence, the maximum number of columns in which they can march is 8 .