Priyaranjan wrote:What is the greatest common divisor of positive integers j & k.
1) The greatest common divisor of 3j & 2k is 2.
2) The greatest common divisor of 5j & k is 10.
Statement 1: The greatest common divisor of 3j and 2k is 2.
Case 1: j=2 and k=1
Here, 3j = 3*2 = 6 and 2k = 2*1 = 2, with the result that the GCD of 3j and 2k is 2.
In this case, the GCD of j and k is 1.
Case 2: j=2 and k=2
Here, 3j = 3*2 = 6 and 2k = 2*2 = 4, with the result that the GCD of 3j and 2k is 2.
In this case, the GCD of j and k is 2.
Since the GCD of j and k can be different values, INSUFFICIENT.
Statement 2: The greatest common divisor of 5j and k is 10.
Case 3: j=2 and k=10
Here, 5j = 5*2 = 10, with the result that the GCD of 5j and k is 10.
In this case, the GCD of j and k is 2.
Case 4: j=10 and k=10
Here, 5j = 5*10 = 50, with the result that the GCD of 5j and k is 10.
In this case, the GCD of j and k is 10.
Since the GCD of j and k can be different values, INSUFFICIENT.
Statements combined:
Case 3 satisfies both statements.
In Case 3, the GCD of j and k is 2.
To satisfy both statements, j must be EVEN and k must be a multiple of 10.
Thus, the GCD of j and k cannot be less than 2.
Test whether the GCD can be greater than 2.
Case 5: j = 2*2 = 4 and k = 10*2 = 20
Here, the GCD of j and k is 4.
In this case, 5j = 5*4 = 20, with the result that the GCD of 5j and k is 20, violating the constraint in statement 2 that the GCD of 5j and k is 10.
Thus, the GCD of j and k cannot be 4.
Case 6: j = 2*3 = 6 and k = 10*3 = 30
Here, the GCD of j and k is 6.
In this case, 5j = 5*6 = 30, with the result that the GCD of 5j and k is 30, violating the constraint in statement 2 that the GCD of 5j and k is 10.
Thus, the GCD of j and k cannot be 6.
Cases 5 and 6 illustrate that -- if the GCD of j and k is greater than 2 -- then statement 2 cannot be satisfied.
Thus, the GCD of j and k must be 2.
SUFFICIENT.
The correct answer is
C.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.
As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.
For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at
[email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3