BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

What should be the OA for this one?

Expert replies
by vaibhavob » Sun Jan 23, 2011 3:54 am
If X and Y are positive integers and n = 5^X and 7^(y+15), what is the units digit of n?
1.y = 2x - 15
2.y^2 - 6y + 5 = 0

The OA is B.

Can someone elaborate on how to solve this one? Seems like a simple problem of units digit using cyclicity?

Hope the question makes sense now.
Last edited by vaibhavob on Sun Jan 23, 2011 4:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
Join the discussion
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by maihuna » Sun Jan 23, 2011 4:05 am
Q is not clear, what do u mean by n = 5^X and 7^*(y+15)?

ANy power of 5 ends in 5 so no value of x required

y^2 - 6y + 5 = 0 =>(y-1)(y-5)=0=>y=1 o r5

7^16 ends in (7^4)^4 = 1^4 = 1 (7,9,3,1 is cyclicitty of power of 7) in 1.
7^20 ends in (7^4)^5 = 1^5 = 1

so B is fine even though it gives 2 values as both ends in 1
Charged up again to beat the beast :)
Join the discussion

by Anurag@Gurome » Sun Jan 23, 2011 4:05 am
If X and Y are positive integers and n = 5^X and 7^*(y+15), what is the units digit of n?
The red part doesn't makes sense.
Can you check that part and edit accordingly?
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)

Join Our Facebook Groups
GMAT with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/272466352793633/
Admissions with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/461459690536574/
Career Advising with Gurome
https://www.facebook.com/groups/360435787349781/
Join the discussion

by vaibhavob » Sun Jan 23, 2011 4:19 am
maihuna wrote:Q is not clear, what do u mean by n = 5^X and 7^*(y+15)?

ANy power of 5 ends in 5 so no value of x required

y^2 - 6y + 5 = 0 =>(y-1)(y-5)=0=>y=1 o r5

7^16 ends in (7^4)^4 = 1^4 = 1 (7,9,3,1 is cyclicitty of power of 7) in 1.
7^20 ends in (7^4)^5 = 1^5 = 1

so B is fine even though it gives 2 values as both ends in 1
Thanks...you understood the question correctly.. i figured out where i was making the mistake.
Join the discussion