GMATPrep Test 2 Q15

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GMATPrep Test 2 Q15

by Abhijit K » Mon Feb 16, 2015 1:48 am
If n and y are positive integers and 450y=n raised to 3, which of the following must be an integer?
I.y/3*2raised to 2*5
II.y/3raised to 2*2*5
III.y/3*2*5raised2

A.None
B I only
C II only
D III only
E I,II, and III

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by GMATGuruNY » Mon Feb 16, 2015 3:08 am
If n and y are positive integers and 450y = n³, which of the following must be an integer?

I. y/(3 x 2² x 5)

II. y/(3² x 2 x 5)

III. y/(3 x 2 x 5²)

a. None
b. I only
c. II only
d. III only
e. I, II, and III
Try to prove that I, II and III DON'T have to be integers.
To this end, plug in the MINIMUM POSSIBLE VALUE for y.

450y = n³ implies that 450y is the cube of an integer.

When we prime-factorize the cube of an integer, we get 3 (or a multiple of 3) of every prime factor:
8 is the cube of an integer because 8 = 2³ = 2*2*2.
27 is the cube of an integer because 27 = 3³ = 3*3*3.

Thus, when we prime-factorize 450y, we need to get AT LEAST 3 of every prime factor.
Here's the prime-factorization of 450y:
450y = 2 * 3² * 5² * y

Since 450 provides only one 2, two 3's, and two 5's, and we need at least 3 of every prime factor, the missing prime factors must be provided by y.
Thus, y must provide at at least two more 2's, one more 3, and one more 5.
Thus, the MINIMUM possible value of y = 2² * 3 * 5.

Plug y = 2² * 3 * 5 into the answer choices:

I. y/(3 x 2² x 5)
(2² * 3 * 5)/(3 x 2² x 5) = 1.
The smallest possible value of y yields an integer.
Eliminate every answer choice that does not include I.
Eliminate A, C and D.

II. y/(3² x 2 x 5)
(2² * 3 * 5)/(3² x 2² x 5) = 1/3.
Not an integer.
Eliminate every remaining answer choice that includes II.
Eliminate E.

The correct answer is B.
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by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon Feb 16, 2015 7:25 am
If n and y are positive integers and 450y = n³, which of the following must be an integer?

I. y/(3 x 2² x 5)
II. y/(3² x 2 x 5)
III. y/(3 x 2 x 5²)

a. None
b. I only
c. II only
d. III only
e. I, II, and III
It often helps to find the prime factorization in these question types where we ask whether a certain rational expression is an integer.

450y = n^3
2*3*3*5*5*y = n^3
For 2*3*3*5*5*y to be a cube, we need the number of 2's, 3's and 5's in the prime factorization to each be divisible by 3.
So, for example, 2*2*2*2*2*2*3*3*3*5*5*5 = (2*2*3*5)^3

For 2*3*3*5*5*y to be a cube, it must be the case that the prime factorization of y includes at least two additional 2's, one additional 3 and one additional 5.
So, y = 2*2*3*5*(other possible numbers)

Now check the option.

I. Must y/(3 * 2^2 * 5) be an integer?
Plug in y to get: 2*2*3*5*(other possible numbers)/(3 * 2^2 * 5)
= some integer
Since this must be an integer, we can eliminate A, C and D, which leaves us with B or E.

II. Must y/(3^2 * 2 * 5) be an integer?
Plug in y to get: 2*2*3*5*(other possible numbers)/(3^2 * 2 * 5)
= 2*(other possible numbers)/3
Not necessarily an integer
Since this need not be an integer, we can eliminate E, which leaves us with B.

NOTE: At this point we have the correct answer. But let's check III for "fun"

III. Must y/(3 * 2 * 5^2) be an integer?
Plug in y to get: 2*2*3*5*(other possible numbers)/(3 * 2 * 5^2)
= 2*(other possible numbers)/5
Not necessarily an integer

Answer: B

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