3 more problems on LCM GCD

This topic has expert replies
Legendary Member
Posts: 621
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:13 pm
Thanked: 33 times
Followed by:4 members

3 more problems on LCM GCD

by vittalgmat » Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:31 pm
Reposting these 3 problem on LCM and GCD coz that post had no replies.
Can the experts pls help me here.


G, M, and N are integers, M=X+6; G is the greatest common factor of M and N. G=?
1) N=2531
2) N=X+7

X and Y are positive integers. What is the maximum common divisor of X and Y?
a) X=Y+1
b) X is a multiple of 2

What is the greatest common factor of positive integers x and y?
1) The greatest common factor of and is 5
2) x and y are even

User avatar
Community Manager
Posts: 1537
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2009 6:10 pm
Thanked: 653 times
Followed by:252 members

by papgust » Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:06 am
For 2nd,

What is the maximum common divisor of X and Y?

a) X=Y+1 -- This means that X and Y are consecutive integers. Then, the GCD is always 1 (Which is the maximum GCD)
Sufficient.

b) We don't know what Y is. Insufficient.

Answer: A


Can you check the 1st statement of 3rd question? It is not clear

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3225
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:40 pm
Location: Toronto
Thanked: 1710 times
Followed by:614 members
GMAT Score:800

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:44 am
vittalgmat wrote:Reposting these 3 problem on LCM and GCD coz that post had no replies.
Can the experts pls help me here.


G, M, and N are integers, M=X+6; G is the greatest common factor of M and N. G=?
1) N=2531
2) N=X+7
1) M could still have infinite values, and no relationship between M and N, so insufficient.

2) If M = X + 6 and N = X + 7, then M and N are consecutive integers. Therefore, their GCF is 1... sufficient!

2 is sufficient, 1 isn't: choose B.
What is the greatest common factor of positive integers x and y?
1) The greatest common factor of and is 5
2) x and y are even
Statement (1) is missing info (which is probably why it got ignored the first time around).
Image

Stuart Kovinsky | Kaplan GMAT Faculty | Toronto

Kaplan Exclusive: The Official Test Day Experience | Ready to Take a Free Practice Test? | Kaplan/Beat the GMAT Member Discount
BTG100 for $100 off a full course

Legendary Member
Posts: 621
Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2008 7:13 pm
Thanked: 33 times
Followed by:4 members

by vittalgmat » Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:21 am
Thanks everyone for the replies.
I could not find the rest of the problem either.. we will probably have to leave it as it is. :-(

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 87
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:01 pm

by pink_08 » Fri Dec 18, 2009 12:41 pm
2) If M = X + 6 and N = X + 7, then M and N are consecutive integers. Therefore, their GCF is 1... sufficient!

2 is sufficient, 1 isn't: choose B.


What if they are 0 and 1. There is no mention in the question that the integers are positive.

In that case how will 1 be the GCF.

So it should be C

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3225
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:40 pm
Location: Toronto
Thanked: 1710 times
Followed by:614 members
GMAT Score:800

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:04 pm
pink_08 wrote:2) If M = X + 6 and N = X + 7, then M and N are consecutive integers. Therefore, their GCF is 1... sufficient!

2 is sufficient, 1 isn't: choose B.


What if they are 0 and 1. There is no mention in the question that the integers are positive.

In that case how will 1 be the GCF.

So it should be C
You're correct!

I'm guessing the author of the question meant the answer to be B and just forgot about 0 issues.
Image

Stuart Kovinsky | Kaplan GMAT Faculty | Toronto

Kaplan Exclusive: The Official Test Day Experience | Ready to Take a Free Practice Test? | Kaplan/Beat the GMAT Member Discount
BTG100 for $100 off a full course

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 3225
Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:40 pm
Location: Toronto
Thanked: 1710 times
Followed by:614 members
GMAT Score:800

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:13 pm
Stuart Kovinsky wrote:
pink_08 wrote:2) If M = X + 6 and N = X + 7, then M and N are consecutive integers. Therefore, their GCF is 1... sufficient!

2 is sufficient, 1 isn't: choose B.


What if they are 0 and 1. There is no mention in the question that the integers are positive.

In that case how will 1 be the GCF.

So it should be C
You're correct!

I'm guessing the author of the question meant the answer to be B and just forgot about 0 issues.
Actually, I retract my previous statements.

0 is a multiple of all numbers except 0 (since 0/x = 0 for all values of x except 0).

So, even if our values are negative (which we usually don't think about when dealing with concepts such as GCF and LCM, which is why I think not stating we were dealing with positives was an oversight), the GCF will still be 1.

For example, if our numbers are -14 and -15,

-14 = 1*-14
-15 = 1*-15

so 1 would still be the GCF.
Image

Stuart Kovinsky | Kaplan GMAT Faculty | Toronto

Kaplan Exclusive: The Official Test Day Experience | Ready to Take a Free Practice Test? | Kaplan/Beat the GMAT Member Discount
BTG100 for $100 off a full course