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:

To find the maximum number of columns we have to find the HCF of 616 and 32.
Use Euclid’s division algorithm to 616, 32 we have
616 = 32 x 19 + 8
32 = 8 x 4 + 0
Since the remainder is 0 and divisor is 8 hence HCF of  is 616, 32 is 8
Therefore, the maximum number of columns in which the army can march is 8.

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