The least non-negative remainder when $3^{128}$ is divided by 7 is:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → 2
Compute $3^{128} \bmod 7$.
Cycle of powers of $3$ modulo $7$:
$3^{1}\equiv 3$
$3^{2}\equiv 9\equiv 2$
$3^{3}\equiv 3\cdot 2=6$
$3^{4}\equiv 3\cdot 6=18\equiv 4$
$3^{5}\equiv 3\cdot 4=12\equiv 5$
$3^{6}\equiv 3\cdot 5=15\equiv 1$
Cycle length is $6$.
$128 \bmod 6 = 2$
So $3^{128} \equiv 3^{2} \equiv 2 \pmod{7}$.
Final answer: $2$