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

Redeem

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.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
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
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start 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

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

integer question

Problem Solving — algebra and arithmetic (GMAT Focus Edition)
Expert replies
by sidon » Sat Apr 10, 2010 10:11 am
Hi,

Can anyone help solving this integer question ?


If k is an integer, and (35^2-1)/k is an integer, then k could be each of the following, EXCEPT
(A) 8
(B) 9
(C) 12
(D) 16
(E) 17



Thanks,
Sidon
Last edited by sidon on Sat Apr 10, 2010 10:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
Join the discussion
Source: — Quantitative Reasoning |

by 4GMAT_Mumbai » Sat Apr 10, 2010 10:14 am
Hi,

Did you by any chance miss 'k' in the expression '(35^2-1)/2' ...
Join the discussion

by sidon » Sat Apr 10, 2010 10:28 am
oops , sorry , you are right .

the question is (35^2-1)/k .

I have edited the first post ...

Thanks.
Join the discussion

by 4GMAT_Mumbai » Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:38 pm
Let x = (35^2-1)/k
x = (35 + 1) * (35 -1) / k = 36 * 34 / k

B cannot be the answer since 36 has a factor of 9 in it. x will be an integer
C cannot be the answer since 36 has a factor of 12 in it. x will be an integer
E cannot be the answer since 34 has a factor of 17 in it. x will be an integer
A cannot be the answer since 36 * 34 = 4 * 9 * 2 * 17 = (4 * 2) * 9 * 17 = 8 * 9 * 17. x will be an integer.

D is the answer because the numerator does not have a factor of 16.

Hope this helps.
Join the discussion

by sidon » Mon Apr 12, 2010 10:22 am
thanks , good answer ...

sidon
Join the discussion

by Rahul@gurome » Wed Apr 14, 2010 9:50 am
4GMAT_Mumbai's answer is a good one. I would also like to suggest a slightly different method of solving this.

To simplify: (35^2-1)/k

========
Step 1) There is a shortcut to figure out the square of an integer ending with '5'.
Drop the ending '5', and multiply the (remaining number) with (remaining number + 1)
Then append '25' at the end of the result.

So:
35^2
= 3 * (3+1) <== Drop the ending '5', and multiply the (remaining number) with (remaining number + 1)
= 3*4
= 12
= 1225 <== Then append '25' at the end of the result.

Step 2)
(35^2-1)/k can be then written as:
(1225 - 1)/k
= 1224/k

Step 3)
Factorize 1224 into all it's prime factors

1224
2 * 612
2 * 2 * 306
2 * 2 * 2 * 153
2 * 2 * 2 * 3 * 51
2 * 2 * 2 * 3 * 3 * 17

Step 4)
(2 * 2 * 2 * 3 * 3 * 17) / k

Step 5) Now you can plug in the answer choices for 'k' one by one into the equation above and check which one DOES NOT result in an integer.

(A) 8 <-- 8 =2*2*2 which goes evenly in the numerator
(B) 9 <-- 9 = 3*3 which goes evenly in the numerator
(C) 12 <-- 3*2*2 which goes evenly in the numerator
(D) 16 <-- 16 = 2*2*2*2 - DOES NOT GO EVENLY IN THE NUMERATOR - This is our answer.
(E) 17 <-- goes evenly in the numerator
Rahul Lakhani
Quant Expert
Gurome, Inc.
https://www.GuroMe.com
On MBA sabbatical (at ISB) for 2011-12 - will stay active as time permits
1-800-566-4043 (USA)
+91-99201 32411 (India)
Join the discussion

by shahdevine » Tue Apr 20, 2010 12:11 pm
sidon wrote:Hi,

Can anyone help solving this integer question ?


If k is an integer, and (35^2-1)/k is an integer, then k could be each of the following, EXCEPT
(A) 8
(B) 9
(C) 12
(D) 16
(E) 17



Thanks,
Sidon
I would look at (35^2-1) as difference of squares and simplify --> a^2-b^2=(a+b)(a-b) --> (35-1)(35+1)=34*36

then back solve to see if any of the options for k go into 34*36 evenly. After exhausting all the answers very quickly you will see 16 does not evenly go into 34*36. D is answer.

You got this!
Join the discussion