2001 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 18

Problem

Two dice are thrown. What is the probability that the product of the two numbers is a multiple of 5?

$\text{(A)}\ \dfrac{1}{36} \qquad \text{(B)}\ \dfrac{1}{18} \qquad \text{(C)}\ \dfrac{1}{6} \qquad \text{(D)}\ \dfrac{11}{36} \qquad \text{(E)}\ \dfrac{1}{3}$

Solution

This is equivalent to asking for the probability that at least one of the numbers is a multiple of $5$, since if one of the numbers is a multiple of $5$, then the product with it and another integer is also a multiple of $5$, and if a number is a multiple of $5$, then since $5$ is prime, one of the factors must also have a factor of $5$, and $5$ is the only multiple of $5$ on a die, so one of the numbers rolled must be a $5$. To find the probability of rolling at least one $5$, we can find the probability of not rolling a $5$ and subtract that from $1$, since you either roll a $5$ or not roll a $5$. The probability of not rolling a $5$ on either dice is $(\frac{5}{6})(\frac{5}{6})=\frac{25}{36}$. Therefore, the probability of rolling at least one five, and thus rolling two numbers whose product is a multiple of $5$, is $1-\frac{25}{36}=\frac{11}{36}, \boxed{\text{D}}$

See Also

2001 AMC 8 (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 17
Followed by
Problem 19
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All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions

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