If x and y are integers and 2 < x < y, does y = 16 ?

This topic has expert replies
Source: — Problem Solving |

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Sun Jan 10, 2016 8:18 am
Mechmeera wrote:Source: Veritas

If x and y are integers and 2 < x < y, does y = 16 ?

(1) The GCF of X and Y is 2.
(2) The LCM of X and Y is 48.
Statement 1:
It's possible that x=4 and y=6, since the GCF of 4 and 6 is 2.
In this case, the answer to the question stem is NO.
It's possible that x=6 and y=16, since the GCF of 6 and 16 is 2.
In this case, the answer to the question stem is YES.
Since the answer is NO in Case 1 but YES in Case 2, INSUFFICIENT.

Statement 2:
It's possible that x=6 and y=16, since the LCM of 6 and 16 is 48.
In this case, the answer to the question stem is YES.
It's possible that x=6 and y=48, since the LCM of 6 and 48 is 48.
In this case, the answer to the question stem is NO.
Since the answer is YES in Case 1 but NO in Case 2, INSUFFICIENT.

Rule:
xy = (GCF of x and y)(LCM of x and y).

Statements combined:
xy = (GCF)(LCM) = 2*48 = 96.
Factor pairs for 96 such that the smaller factor is greater than 2:
4*24
6*16
8*12.
Since the GCF of the pairs in red is 4, neither of these pairs satisfies Statement 1.
Thus, the only pair that satisfies both statements is x=6 and y=16.
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