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If t is the sum of three consecutive positive integers, is t

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by AAPL » Mon Jul 16, 2018 5:55 am

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If t is the sum of three consecutive positive integers, is t a multiple of 24?

(1) The smallest of the 3 integers is even.
(2) t is a multiple of 3.

The OA is A.

Is there a strategic approach to this question? Can anyone help? I appreciate your help!
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Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by GMATGuruNY » Mon Jul 16, 2018 6:12 am
AAPL wrote:If t is the sum of three consecutive positive integers, is t a multiple of 24?

(1) The smallest of the 3 integers is even.
(2) t is a multiple of 3.
Let the three consecutive integers be x, x+1 and x+2.
Thus:
t = x + (x+1) + (x+2) = 3x + 3 = 3(x+1).

Statement 1:
Since x = even, get get:
t = 3(EVEN + 1) = ODD*ODD = ODD.
An odd integer has no even factors.
Since t is odd and thus has no even factors, it cannot be divisible by 24, which is even.
Thus, the answer to the question stem is NO.
SUFFICIENT.

Statement 2:
The prompt itself implies that t = 3(x+1) = multiple of 3.
Since Statement 2 merely repeats this information, INSUFFICIENT.

The correct answer is A.
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