Ask the Test Maker

Hi,

Since 0 in some textbook is considered a multiple, if a problem asks you to list the first 5 multiples of 6, which of the below is considered correct?

List 1: 0, 6, 12, 18, 24

or

List 2: 6, 12, 18, 24, 30

Thanks!!

Dalia

Real life - Zero is a multiple of all numbers.

GMAT - Multiples are greater than or equal to a number.

0 is a multiple of 5, in both real life and in the GMAT, if we go by what is said in the Math Review of the 13th Edition and the use of the term 'positive multiples of 5´ in PS question 201 in the 12th edition. Note, however, that the least common multiple of two positive integers is the smallest positive integer that is a multiple of both integers.

Summary: 0 is a multiple of 6 and of 8, but the least(lowest) common multiple of 6 and 8 is 24.

Hello, Kevin! Thanks for the question. The short answer to your question is yes, zero would be considered a multiple. However, a question on the GMAT would never ask for the first 5 multiples of 6, because the question has no answer without some sort of qualifier. The set of all multiples of 6 is {..., -24, -18, -12, -6, 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, ...} so it is impossible to list the first 5 multiples. However, the first 5 positive multiples of 6 are 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30, and the first 5 nonnegative multiples of 6 are 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24.

I hope that answers your question!

Rebecca