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Source: — Problem Solving |

by Anurag@Gurome » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:50 pm
ruplun wrote:If n^2 is divisible by 72,what is the largest possible number that must divide n?
Picking Number Approach
Least possible value of n² such that n² is divisible by 72 is 72*2 = 144
Hence, minimum possible value of n = 12.
Largest possible integer that divides n is 12.


Algebraic Approach:
n² is divisible by 72
Hence we can write n² as 72k, where k is an positive integer.
Now, n = √n² = √(72k) = √[(2)*(36)*k] = 6√(2k)
Now for n to be an integer, k must be an even multiple of a perfect square.
Hence, we can write k = 2m², where is a positive integer.
Now, n = 6√(2k) = 6√(2*2*m²) = 12m

Hence, largest possible integer that divides n is 12.
Anurag Mairal, Ph.D., MBA
GMAT Expert, Admissions and Career Guidance
Gurome, Inc.
1-800-566-4043 (USA)

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by pm » Fri Jul 29, 2011 5:24 am
Ruplun

Can you please post answer along with your questions!
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by pm » Fri Jul 29, 2011 5:30 am
Anurag

i did not get this part :

Hence, minimum possible value of n = 12.
Largest possible integer that divides n is 12.
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by ruplun » Fri Jul 29, 2011 5:46 am
pm wrote:Ruplun

Can you please post answer along with your questions!
The minimum possible # is 12 and largest possible is 36....
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