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If x is an integer and y=3x+2, which of the following CANNOT

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by II » Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:02 am
If x is an integer and y=3x+2, which of the following CANNOT be a divisor of y?

A) 4
B) 5
C) 6
D) 7
E) 8

Please show your thinking in arriving to the answer.

Thanks.
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by mujaqaq » Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:24 am
The answer is 6...just plug in multiples of the answer choices. when u plug in 6,12,18,24,30,36 as values for y we do not get x as an integer hence answer is 6.
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by BILL » Sun Aug 24, 2008 11:31 am
If y=3x+2...we know that y is not divisible by 3 because 3x will always be divisible by 3. So if you add +2, the resulting number will be 5,8,11, etc, never divisible by 3. Since we know that if a number is not divisible by 3 then its not divisible by 6, thats your answer
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by II » Sun Aug 24, 2008 2:49 pm
BILL wrote:If y=3x+2...we know that y is not divisible by 3 because 3x will always be divisible by 3. So if you add +2, the resulting number will be 5,8,11, etc, never divisible by 3. Since we know that if a number is not divisible by 3 then its not divisible by 6, thats your answer
Hi Bill .. thanks ... this was also my thinking and also the explanation in the OG guide. Was interested to see if people used alternative approaches in arriving to the answer on this one.

Thanks.
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by Jeff@TargetTestPrep » Wed Dec 13, 2017 12:02 pm
II wrote:If x is an integer and y=3x+2, which of the following CANNOT be a divisor of y?

A) 4
B) 5
C) 6
D) 7
E) 8
We are given the following:

y = 3x + 2

y - 2 = 3x

(y - 2)/3 = x

In order for y - 2 to be divisible by 3, y must be 2 greater than a multiple of 3. Since y is 2 greater than a multiple of 3, y cannot actually be a multiple of 3. Thus, 6 CANNOT be a divisor of y.

Answer: C

Jeffrey Miller
Head of GMAT Instruction
[email protected]

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by Farjin » Sun Jul 08, 2018 6:43 am
If x is an integer and y=3x+2, which of the following CANNOT be a divisor of y?

A) 4
B) 5
C) 6
D) 7
E) 8

Hello, every one I have some doubt about that question.
My analysis Y= DIVIDEND, X = DIVISOR, 3= QUOTiENT AND 2= REMAINDER.

so question asked which option cannot be the X? because x is the divisor of y. so how multiple of 3 can be answered? y=3*6+2. y=18 so 18/6 in which quotient 3 and remainder also 2. so how option c answer? would anyone like to explain, please.
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by GMATGuruNY » Sun Jul 08, 2018 2:41 pm
Farjin wrote:If x is an integer and y=3x+2, which of the following CANNOT be a divisor of y?

A) 4
B) 5
C) 6
D) 7
E) 8
Rule:
MULTIPLE OF K + MULTIPLE OF K = MULTIPLE OF K
MUTIPLE OF K + NON-MULTIPLE OF K = NON-MULTIPLE OF K

y = 3x + 2 = MULTIPLE OF 3 + NON-MULTIPLE OF 3 = NON-MULTIPLE OF 3.
Since y is not a multiple of 3, it cannot be a multiple of 6.

The correct answer is C.
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answer

by Farjin » Mon Jul 09, 2018 12:57 am
GMATGuruNY wrote:
Farjin wrote:If x is an integer and y=3x+2, which of the following CANNOT be a divisor of y?

A) 4
B) 5
C) 6
D) 7
E) 8
Rule:
MULTIPLE OF K + MULTIPLE OF K = MULTIPLE OF K
MULTIPLE OF K + NON-MULTIPLE OF K = NON-MULTIPLE OF K

y = 3x + 2 = MULTIPLE OF 3 + NON-MULTIPLE OF 3 = NON-MULTIPLE OF 3.
Since y is not a multiple of 3, it cannot be a multiple of 6.

The correct answer is C.
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