Integer

This topic has expert replies
Legendary Member
Posts: 876
Joined: Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:14 am
Thanked: 13 times

Integer

by ketkoag » Sun Mar 29, 2009 6:06 am
If x is a positive integer, is the remainder 0 when 3^x + 1 is divided by 10?
(1) x = 4n + 2, where n is a positive integer.
(2) x > 4

OA: A
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

Legendary Member
Posts: 1035
Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:56 pm
Thanked: 104 times
Followed by:1 members

by scoobydooby » Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:02 am
1) x = 4n + 2, where n is a positive integer
if n=1, x=6. the given expression becomes 3^6+1

last digits of powers of 3 (3^1=3, 3^2=9, 3^3=7, 3^4=1, 3^5....) follow a cyclic pattern, repeats after every 4 terms. 3^6 has the same last digit as 3^2 ie 9.
9+1 divisible by 10

if n=3, x=14 the expression becomes 3^14+1. 3^14 has the same last digit as 3^2 ie 9. ((14/4 leaves remainder 2.)
9+1 divisible by 10

for any n, the given expression will be divisible by 10.
sufficient

2) x>4

say x=5
3^5+1. 3^5 has last digit 3. the last digit of the expression is 3+1=4 not divisible by 10

say x=6. 3^6+1 is divisible by 10 as shown above.
not sufficient

hence A