Problem Solving

Q: Newton asked Einstein to assume any two values of three digits say P and Q then he told him to multiply P by R and Q by S where the values of R and S were given by Newton himself. Einstein exactly told Newton the value of
PR + QS = 888222. Then the value of P + Q is :

a)1001

b)1110

c)3108

d)1111

e)3181


Ans:[spoiler]b) 1110[/spoiler]

This is a Two-part question. The first part of this question is :what is the value of P/Q :

I . 1/4 II. 4 III. 6

a) Only I

b) Only II

c) Either II or III

d) Either I or II

e)Can't be determined

I made a wild guess and come with the answer 888+222 =1110 .Now either P is 888 and Q is 222 or P is 222 and Q is 888 . And since Einstein has given the value of PR + QS = 888222 then Newton has given R as either 1000 or 1 or S as either 1000 or 1.Since 888 X 1000 + 222 X 1 = 888222. But I may be completely wrong as this is a wild guess and alternate assumptions do exist. Can anyone suggest a proper solution to this problem

what is the original source of the question...

A very old post of mine. Though it may not exactly be a GMAT question, but I would like to know the underlying logic behind the question. Also how to approach such questions.

Hi,
P+Q can have many values. I guess the questions says, P+Q can be which of the following:
888222 = 222*4001
P,Q are 3 digit numbers. So, P+Q will be less than 1999. This eliminates C,E.
The number 222 should give us a hint when we look at the answer choice 1110 (222*5)
As we can write 222*(4001) as 222*(4000+1) = 888*1000 + 222*1, we generally pick B.

This is a Two-part question. The first part of this question is :what is the value of P/Q :

I . 1/4 II. 4 III. 6

a) Only I

b) Only II

c) Either II or III

d) Either I or II

e)Can't be determined

Answer should be E because, all 3 values are possible for P/Q.
From the above discussion, it is clear that P/Q can take values 1/4 and 4.
222*(4001) = 222(3999+2) = 222*3*1333 + 222*2 = 666*1333 + 111*4
P/Q = 6 is also possible.
Hence, E

This does not seem to be a question likely to appear on GMAT.

Please defer from posting such questions in the forum, for it may scare the new aspirants!

Many thanks to Frankenstein. Mary Shelley should be proud of her creation !!

Please post only GMAT type questions.