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MaleInNC2007 Just gettin' started!
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:06 pm Post subject: Error in OG Data Sufficiency Book - check my math |
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I have issues with the following Data Sufficiency problem in
the OG 11 edition. I also have a question at the bottom.
Problem 132 (answer on page 331)
If the integer n is greater than 1, is n equal to 2?
(1)n has exactly two positive factors.
(2)The difference of any two positive distinct factors of n is odd.
n can be any prime number.
(2)I say not sufficient. n could be 6 or 2.
The factors of 6 are 1, 2, and 3.
3-2 = 1; 2-1 = 1; both 3-2 and
2-1 are the difference of any two positive factors of n and both are odd
satisfying the requirements of (2); n could also be 2; the factors of
2 are 1 and 2; 2-1 = 1 which is odd
Thus, n could be 2 or 6; not
sufficient
Using both (1) and (2) it would leave the only number possible as 2 thus the answer is C
The OG says (2) is sufficient. I disagree for the
aforementioned reasons.
The answer in the book is subtracting n with the distinct factor. It states that if n is greater than 2 and n is odd, then 1 and n are factors of n,
and their difference is even. Also, if n
is greater than 2 and n is even, then 2 and n are factors, and the difference is even. Even using this logic, using 6 = n can still
result in satisfying (2) For example,
6-3 = 3; 3 is odd thus giving 6 and 2 as possible answers.
(2) asks for the difference of any two positive distinct factors though, not the difference between n and the factors. I believe the answer to this
problem in the OG is wrong.
Also, another question:
is zero an integer?
I say yes. I cannot remember the problem but it required an integer, and when zero was used, the answer I obtained was different than the answer in the OG. I am curious if the GMAT doesn’t consider zero to be an integer. I’m reviewing for the GMAT next Monday and if I can find the problem I will post it. |
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beatthegmat Founder

Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Posts: 3774
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Location: California GMAT Score: 720
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Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 11:35 am Post subject: |
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With regard to your second question--whether zero is an integer--please see my GMAT Flashcards: I believe you can find the answer there.
http://www.beatthegmat.com/viewtopic.php?t=32 _________________ Eric
Discounts on Kaplan, Manhattan GMAT, Veritas Prep, and Stacy Blackman Consulting - see the links at the top of the page for more info.
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MaleInNC2007 Just gettin' started!
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Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 3:24 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks! |
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colinbendell Just gettin' started!
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Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:43 pm Post subject: Re: Error in OG Data Sufficiency Book - check my math |
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| MaleInNC2007 wrote: |
The factors of 6 are 1, 2, and 3.
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The Factors of 6 are actually 1, 2, 3 and 6.
Notice that the statement does not imply only prime factors - all factors are valid. Therefore if you take any two factors you could come up with 6 - 2 which of course is a positive and therefore does not qualify for statement #2.
The answer in the OG is correct. |
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coachy Just gettin' started!
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:06 pm Post subject: OG 131 maths |
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You are right. I was confused about this question. And it suddenly dawned on me that I have to consider the statement 2 as true and evaluate if n can be 2. I was trying to prove the statement 2 as wrong but I guess that is what DS practice is about. I have to keep on reminding myself that the statement 1 and 2 are universal truths. _________________ gogmat |
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Tame the CAT Rising GMAT Star
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Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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| 3-1 is even. So it cannot be 6. |
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