tricky remainder

This topic has expert replies
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 106
Joined: Sat Mar 02, 2013 4:29 pm
Thanked: 4 times

tricky remainder

by buoyant » Sun Dec 28, 2014 7:07 pm
If x and y are both positive integers and x>y , what is the remainder when x is divided by y ?

(1) y is a two-digit prime number.

(2) x= qy+9 , for some positive integer q

[spoiler]OA: C[/spoiler]

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 2131
Joined: Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:26 am
Location: https://martymurraycoaching.com/
Thanked: 955 times
Followed by:140 members
GMAT Score:800

by MartyMurray » Sun Dec 28, 2014 7:38 pm
buoyant wrote:If x and y are both positive integers and x>y , what is the remainder when x is divided by y ?

(1) y is a two-digit prime number.

(2) x= qy+9 , for some positive integer q

[spoiler]OA: C[/spoiler]
Statement 1 tells us that y is a two digit prime number. We know that x > y. If y = 11 and x = 22, the remainder would be 0. Alternatively, y could be 11 and x could be 21 and the remainder 10.

Insufficient

One might be tempted to say that Statement 2 is sufficient because it tells us that x = (a multiple of y) + 9. So one's initial inclination might be to jump and say the remainder is 9. The problem is that y might be equal to or smaller than 9, in which cases the remainder would be some number less than 9.

Insufficient

Together we know that x = (a multiple of y) + 9 and, since y is a two digit number, that y is greater than 9. So the remainder is 9.

Sufficient

Choose C.

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Sun Dec 28, 2014 10:24 pm
buoyant wrote:If x and y are both positive integers and x>y , what is the remainder when x is divided by y ?

(1) y is a two-digit prime number.

(2) x= qy+9 , for some positive integer q
Statement 1:
No information about x.
INSUFFICIENT.

Statement 2:
Let q=y=1.
Then x = 1*1 + 9 = 10.
In this case, x/y = 10/1 = 10 R0.

Let q=1 and y=2.
Then x = 1*2 + 9 = 11.
In this case, x/y = 11/2 = 5 R1.

Since the remainder can be different values, INSUFFICIENT.

Statement combined:
Case 1: q=1 and y=11
Here, x = 1*11 + 9 = 20.
In this case, x/y = 20/11 = 1 R9.

Case 2: q=2 and y=13
Here, x = 2*13 + 9 = 35.
In this case, x/y = 35/13 = 2 R9.

R=9 in both cases.
One more random case to be safe.

Case 3: q=6 and y=31
Here, x = 6*31 + 9 = 195.
In this case, x/y = 195/31 = 6 R9.

In every case, R=9.
SUFFICIENT.

The correct answer is C.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3