UPSC CSE Prelims 2023
To determine the natural numbers that yield a remainder of 31 when 1186 is divided by them, we apply the division algorithm. If a natural number divides 1186 and leaves a remainder of 31, then it must satisfy the condition:
where is the quotient and . The condition is essential because the remainder must always be strictly less than the divisor.
Rearranging the equation, we get:
This implies that must be a divisor of 1155. We need to identify all positive divisors of 1155 that are greater than 31.
First, we find the prime factorization of 1155:
The divisors of 1155 are formed by combining these prime factors. We then select only those divisors that are greater than 31:
Counting these numbers, we find there are 8 such natural numbers that satisfy the given conditions.
Options (A) 6, (B) 7, and (D) 9 are incorrect because a systematic calculation of the divisors of 1155 that are strictly greater than 31 yields exactly 8 numbers. Any other count would result from an incomplete or incorrect identification of the valid divisors or a misapplication of the remainder condition.