Number properties
This topic has expert replies
Source: Beat The GMAT — Data Sufficiency |
My thoughts on Q2
n=multiple of 5 (or i=n/5)
n=(p^2)*(q)
Since (p^2)*(q) is a multiple of 5, then 5 must also be a factor of (p^2)*(q).
Therefore either p, q or both could be factors of 5 (but we don't know which ones)
To find which also must be factor of 25.
A. p^2 - not necessary because q could be the factor 5 and p could be some other prime number
B. q^2 - not necessary because p could be the factor 5 and q can be some other prime number
C. pq - not necessary because they may not both be factor 5 (and therefore not multiple of 25)
D. p^2*q^2, this works because either p or q (or both) will be the factor 5, so the square will satisfy the requirement of being a multiple of 25.
E. p^3*q -- if q is the factor 5 then this will not necessarily be a multiple of 25
n=multiple of 5 (or i=n/5)
n=(p^2)*(q)
Since (p^2)*(q) is a multiple of 5, then 5 must also be a factor of (p^2)*(q).
Therefore either p, q or both could be factors of 5 (but we don't know which ones)
To find which also must be factor of 25.
A. p^2 - not necessary because q could be the factor 5 and p could be some other prime number
B. q^2 - not necessary because p could be the factor 5 and q can be some other prime number
C. pq - not necessary because they may not both be factor 5 (and therefore not multiple of 25)
D. p^2*q^2, this works because either p or q (or both) will be the factor 5, so the square will satisfy the requirement of being a multiple of 25.
E. p^3*q -- if q is the factor 5 then this will not necessarily be a multiple of 25
-
Mani_mba
- Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
- Posts: 267
- Joined: Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:20 am
- Thanked: 4 times
- Followed by:1 members
a) Considering the first option that n is not divisible by 2.
N may have values: 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
And their respective
remainders when
n^2 - 1 divided by
24: : 8 0 0 8 0 0 8 ..... and it repeats in this sequence.
So r may be either 0 or 8. hence insufficient.
Similarly (b) is insufficient as it produces different r's.
When (a) and (b) are taken together,
n may have values like 5,7,11,13,17 ... for which when (n^2-1) / 24 will always yield no remainder. So r is 0.
Hence choice (c).
N may have values: 3 5 7 9 11 13 15
And their respective
remainders when
n^2 - 1 divided by
24: : 8 0 0 8 0 0 8 ..... and it repeats in this sequence.
So r may be either 0 or 8. hence insufficient.
Similarly (b) is insufficient as it produces different r's.
When (a) and (b) are taken together,
n may have values like 5,7,11,13,17 ... for which when (n^2-1) / 24 will always yield no remainder. So r is 0.
Hence choice (c).

















