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A stationery seller packs 2011 pens and 2623 pencils into identical bundles, each bundle holding only one kind of item. After packing, 9 pens and 5 pencils are left over. What is the greatest number of items a bundle can hold?

Class 10Real NumbersNumber Systems
  • A154
  • B143
  • C118
  • D77

Step-by-Step Solution

The bundle size must divide 2011 − 9 = 2002 and 2623 − 5 = 2618. Now 2002 = 2·7·11·13 and 2618 = 2·7·11·17, so HCF = 2·7·11 = 154 (and 2002 ÷ 154 = 13, 2618 ÷ 154 = 17). Forgetting to subtract the leftovers first, or stopping at 77 = 7·11, are the standard mistakes.
Answer: A) 154

Key idea: When does a rational number terminate?

**Theorem**: A rational number (in lowest terms) has a terminating decimal expansion if and only if has the form **2ᵐ × 5ⁿ** (m, n ≥ 0).

**Examples**:
- → terminates → terminates → does NOT terminate… recurring.)
- → does NOT terminate (because of the 3).

**Why**: any decimal expansion is a fraction with denominator 10ⁿ = 2ⁿ × 5ⁿ. To convert to decimal form, you need to ONLY have 2s and 5s as primes — otherwise you can't multiply numerator/denominator into a power of 10.

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