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2019 · Q33

The number 3^521 is divided by 8. What is the remainder?

Elementary MathematicsNumber System
  1. A1
  2. B3
  3. C7
  4. D9

Explanation

Since 3^2 = 9 which is 1 modulo 8, every even power of 3 leaves remainder 1 on division by 8. Write 3^521 = 3*(3^2)^260, which is congruent to 3*1^260 = 3 (mod 8). So the remainder is 3, option (b).