Identify the odd one out:
- (a)6 % 3 = 2
- (b)9 % 3 = 3
- (c)8 % 2 = 4
- (d)7 % 3 = 2
Answer
Why
Correct — D.
Rule: % stands for ÷, and the division must come out exact.
(a) 6 ÷ 3 = 2, since 3 × 2 = 6 ✓
(b) 9 ÷ 3 = 3, since 3 × 3 = 9 ✓
(c) 8 ÷ 2 = 4, since 2 × 4 = 8 ✓
(d) 7 ÷ 3 is 2 remainder 1, since 3 × 2 = 6, not 7 → option (d).
Why the others are wrong
- (a)6 % 3 = 2 — 6 ÷ 3 = 2 is exact, because 3 × 2 = 6. It is a true division, like the ones in (b) and (c).
- (b)9 % 3 = 3 — 9 ÷ 3 = 3 is exact, because 3 × 3 = 9. The equation is true, which puts it with (a) and (c).
- (c)8 % 2 = 4 — 8 ÷ 2 = 4 is exact, because 2 × 4 = 8. It is a true division, unlike 7 ÷ 3, which leaves 1 over.
Concept
Odd one out among equations means three share a property the fourth lacks. First find a meaning for the symbol that makes most of them true.
Read % as ÷ and three statements are exact divisions: the first number is a multiple of the second. 7 is not a multiple of 3, so 7 ÷ 3 = 2⅓ and the fourth equation is false.
Multiplying back, second × third = first, is the fastest check.
In programming, % gives the remainder. Under that reading 6 % 3 = 0, so all four equations would be false and nothing would stand out. The item works with % as a division sign.
Key facts
- Read as division, 6 % 3 = 2, 9 % 3 = 3 and 8 % 2 = 4 are all exact.
- 7 ÷ 3 = 2 remainder 1, so 7 % 3 = 2 is false.
- Check a division by multiplying back: 3 × 2 = 6, not 7.
Study next
Common traps
- Reading % as percent or as remainder, which makes every option false
- Accepting 7 ÷ 3 = 2 because the whole-number part is 2, ignoring the remainder
The % sign does a different job in 19 Sep 2025, 09:00, Reasoning Q.20: there 9 % 2 = 81 and 8 % 2 = 64 make it a power, so 7 % 2 = 49.
Related PYQs
No directly related past PYQ was found.