Q is a set of four distinct prime numbers...

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

Redeem

This topic has expert replies

Post new topic Post Reply

Previous Topic Next Topic

BTGmoderatorLU: Moderator; Posts: 2505; Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 1:50 pm; Followed by:6 members

Q is a set of four distinct prime numbers...

by BTGmoderatorLU » Sun Dec 31, 2017 5:42 am

Q is a set of four distinct prime numbers. If the sum of the integers in Q is even and the number x is a member of Q, then what is the least value that x can be?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
E. 7

The OA is B.

I'm really confused with this PS question. Experts, any suggestion? Thanks in advance.

Quote

Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Sun Dec 31, 2017 5:42 am

GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; Followed by:1268 members; GMAT Score:770

Q is a set of four distinct prime numbers...

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sun Dec 31, 2017 7:38 am

LUANDATO wrote:Q is a set of four distinct prime numbers. If the sum of the integers in Q is even and the number x is a member of Q, then what is the least value that x can be?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
E. 7

We need to minimize the four distinct prime numbers.

We're told that the SUM of the four numbers is EVEN.
This means ALL FOUR prime numbers must be odd

ASIDE: We know this because there is only one even prime number (2). Since the four numbers are distinct, there can be, AT MOST, one 2. However, if there were one 2 (and three other odd primes), the sum of the four numbers would be ODD). So, we can conclude that the number 2 is NOT in the set of values.

So, the SMALLEST set of values is: {3, 5, 7, 11}

The number x is a member of Q, then what is the least value that x can be?
Answer: 3 (B)

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

Quote

GMAT/MBA Expert

Scott@TargetTestPrep: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 8086; Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 am; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 43 times; Followed by:29 members

by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Sun Aug 18, 2019 6:19 pm

BTGmoderatorLU wrote:Q is a set of four distinct prime numbers. If the sum of the integers in Q is even and the number x is a member of Q, then what is the least value that x can be?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 5
E. 7

The OA is B.

I'm really confused with this PS question. Experts, any suggestion? Thanks in advance.