Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

If k is a positive integer, what is the remainder...

Expert replies
by apple100 » Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:00 am
If k is a positive integer, what is the remainder when 2^k is divided by 10?

1) k is divisible by 10
2) k is divisible by 4
Join the discussion
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by DanaJ » Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:26 am
The problem is asking for the remainder when 2^k is divided by 10. You need to realize that the problem lies with the last digit of 2^k, since the remainder of dividing a number by 10 will always be its last digit.
You should know that there is a certain regularity to the last digit, depending on the nature of k.
Let's start with the basics:
2^1 = 2 - last digit 2
2^2 = 4 - last digit 4
2^3 = 8 - last digit 8
2^4 = 16 - last digit 6
2^5 = 32 - last digit 2 - and the last digit repeats from now on.
This forms a pattern for 2^k:
a. when k = 4n + 1, last digit = 2
b. when k = 4n + 2, last digit = 4
c. when k = 4n + 3, last digit = 8
d. when k = 4n, last digit = 6.

This means that the last digit of 2^k is linked to whether k is divisible or not by 4, thus making the second stmt sufficient, with answer B
Join the discussion

by Sumit69 » Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:07 am
IMO B . Whats the OA
Join the discussion

by PAB2706 » Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:17 am
i dnt get it.... if the last digit keeps on changing then the remainder wil also be changing..tht means we dont get a specific value of the remainder then how come B is correct?
Join the discussion

by scoobydooby » Tue Apr 07, 2009 6:41 am
B) k is divisible by 4
=> k=4, 8, 12, 16....... we cant take 0 as k is positive

if k=4, 2^4=16. 16/10 =>remainder 6 (the last digit)
if k=8, 2^8= (2^4)*(2^4)=16*16= 256. 256/10 => remainder=6

if k=16, (2^4)*(2^4)*(2^4)*(2^4)=16^4 leaves last digit as 6. (6 multiplied by itself always leaves last digit as 6). 16^4/10 therefore leaves remainder 6.

B always gives a remainder of 6
Join the discussion

by mike22629 » Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:13 am
Couple of things I have noticed with the GMAT. They like to ask a lot of questions with exponent's last digits repeating in patterns. For the power of 2 it repeats in the pattern: 2,4,6,8. Hence, if k is divisible by 10, you are not sure where you will be in the sequence. However, if k is divisible by 4, it does not matter how big k gets because the pattern consists of 4 numbers. Hence you will always be able to find the remainder.

You guys think this is sound reasoning? Just curious.
Join the discussion

by mike22629 » Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:14 am
Couple of things I have noticed with the GMAT. They like to ask a lot of questions with exponent's last digits repeating in patterns. For the power of 2 it repeats in the pattern: 2,4,6,8. Hence, if k is divisible by 10, you are not sure where you will be in the sequence. However, if k is divisible by 4, it does not matter how big k gets because the pattern consists of 4 numbers. Hence you will always be able to find the remainder.

You guys think this is sound reasoning? Just curious.
Join the discussion