GMAT Prep2 ?? Help...

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GMAT Prep2 ?? Help...

by dferm » Wed May 14, 2008 6:59 am
If n is a positive integer and r is the remainder when n^2-1 is divided by 8, what is the value of r?

(1) n is odd
(2) n is not divisible by 8

Can someone please break this down for me...

Thank.s

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by mwilliams » Wed May 14, 2008 9:15 pm
If n is a positive integer and r is the remainder when n^2-1 is divided by 8, what is the value of r?

(1) n is odd
(2) n is not divisible by 8

(1) plug in the numbers 3 and 5 for n, 3^2 - 1=8 so remainder is 0, use 5 to confirm 5^2 - 1=24, so remainder is 0 again
(2)since odd numbers give you a remainder of 0 try an even number such as 2, 2^2 - 1 =3, so the remainder is 3

number 1 is sufficient because it provides a consistent answer, while number 2 is insufficient due to inconsistencies in the remainders.

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by dferm » Wed May 14, 2008 9:23 pm
GOT IT..

Thanks..