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?

Answer 1

To find maximum number of columns we should find HCF of 616 and 32

Using Euclid’s algorithms:

Let a = 616 and b = 32

a = bq + r, (o ≤ r ≤ b)

616 = 32×19+8

32 = 8×4+0

∴ HCF of 616 and 32 is 8

Therefore the maximum number of columns in which army contingent to march is 8