Question: A hydrologist studying contaminant dispersion observes that certain pollutants appear every 4 consecutive days; how many of the 100 smallest positive integers are congruent to 3 modulo 4, indicating potential secondary contamination events?

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:19:41 +0000

**How Many of the 100 Smallest Positive Integers Are Congruent to 3 Modulo 4?** Is it possible that simple numerical patterns can reveal hidden insights into environmental dynamics—or even detector-generated data streams? A hydrologist observing pollutant dispersion notes a recurring 4-day cycle, suggesting anomalies appear every fourth day. This raises a precise question: among the first 100 positive integers, how many are congruent to 3 modulo 4? This seemingly technical detail carries deeper relevance—offering clues about recurring contamination patterns and cycles in water systems. Understanding modulo relationships helps decode such rhythms, shedding light on secondary contamination events linked to periodic pollution. **Why Pollutant Cycles Matter in Water Monitoring** In environmental science, especially hydrology and pollution tracking, time-based patterns play a critical role. Some contaminants appear cyclically, tied to seasonal flows, stormwater runoff, or industrial release schedules. When pollution events follow a predictable 4-day recurrence, engineers and scientists model these with modular arithmetic. The residue classes modulo 4—0, 1, 2, 3—help identify how often and when specific contaminants reappear across cycles. Recognizing these patterns empowers smarter monitoring, better risk prediction, and more targeted cleanup efforts. The number congruent to 3 mod 4 is not just a math fact—it reflects a timing signature in environmental data.