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

Redeem

Greatest common factor

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Source: — Data Sufficiency |
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 131
Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:01 pm
Thanked: 39 times
Followed by:2 members

by puneetkhurana2000 » Thu Dec 20, 2012 6:34 pm
I did not understand your first question as it is not clear what is x,y, m or n? Please rephrase it clearly.

For second question let us say n = 2, so consecutive multiples of 2 are 2,4,6,8,10.....

The Greatest Common factor of 2(2*1),4(2*2),6(2*3),8(2*24),10(2*5)..... is 2, which is equal to n.

Hope this makes sense!!!
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 131
Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2012 2:01 pm
Thanked: 39 times
Followed by:2 members

by puneetkhurana2000 » Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:29 pm
I believe your first question is:- why the GCF of x and y can't be > x - y?

This is only possible if x and y are distinct; x and y are not consecutive multiples of a certain number.

e.g. x = y = 10. GCF = 10 is > 10 - 10 (0)

e.g. x = 2, y = 4. GCF = 2 is = 4 - 2 (2)

For all cases GCF can't be greater than the difference.

e.g. x = 12, y = 28. GCF = 4 is < 28 - 12 (16)

e.g. x = 5, y = 3. GCF = 1 is < 5 - 3 (2)

Note:- Maximum value of GCF of x and y can be smaller of the two values(cases such as x =4, y = 8 and GCF is 4 here) in all other cases GCF will always be 1 <= GCF <= smaller of the two values.
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1