An integer is chosen at random from the integers . The probability that the chosen integer is a multiple of at least one of is:
- A
- B
- C
- D
An integer is chosen at random from the integers . The probability that the chosen integer is a multiple of at least one of is:
Correct answer:B
Standard Method
Given: An integer is chosen at random from the integers to .
Find: The probability that the chosen integer is a multiple of at least one of .
Use the principle of inclusion-exclusion.
Count the multiples of each number:
since they are .
since they are .
since they are .
Now count the common multiples of pairs:
Also,
so there is no common multiple of all three within the range.
Apply inclusion-exclusion:
So, integers are multiples of at least one of .
Therefore, the required probability is
Hence, the correct option is B.
Event Probability Form
Given: Let be the event that the number is a multiple of , be the event that it is a multiple of , and be the event that it is a multiple of .
Find: .
From the counts in to ,
Also,
and
LCM Counting Shortcut
Instead of listing all numbers, count directly using floor values:
Subtract pairwise overlaps:
Add the triple overlap:
So,
Thus the probability is , so the correct option is B.
Adding the counts of multiples of and directly gives , which double-counts numbers like and . Use inclusion-exclusion and subtract overlaps.
Finding common multiples incorrectly by multiplying numbers instead of taking LCM leads to wrong intersections. For example, for and use , not .
Forgetting to check the triple intersection can cause an incomplete inclusion-exclusion calculation. Here , and since it exceeds , the triple overlap is .
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