If a and b are two integers greater than zero such that a = 7m and
b = 6n + 1 for some integers m and n, what is the value of a?
(1)m = n
(2)When a is divided by b, the remainder is a prime number
If a and b are two integers > 0
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OA is E.mvaditya wrote:IMO E.
Could you please let me know the OA?
~mva
Would u mind explanations as u would under exam condition...
thanks.
@Gmatdriller:
I had approached the question as below:
a=7m
b=6n+1
if m =n,
a = 7n - until we know value of n or m or B it's of no use for us. Hence, we can eliminate A & D options.
if a/b = reminder (prime number)
(7m) = (6n+1)X + {prime number - 2,3,5...}
since the value of "X" (quotient) or the reminder is not provided, we can't deduct the value of "a". Hence, we can eliminate option B .
Checking for validity of option "C" -- 7m = (6m+1)X + {prime number - 2,3,5...}
it still don't help us deduct "a" conclusively. (for the same reason as stated above)
hence E is the best option.
~mva
I had approached the question as below:
a=7m
b=6n+1
if m =n,
a = 7n - until we know value of n or m or B it's of no use for us. Hence, we can eliminate A & D options.
if a/b = reminder (prime number)
(7m) = (6n+1)X + {prime number - 2,3,5...}
since the value of "X" (quotient) or the reminder is not provided, we can't deduct the value of "a". Hence, we can eliminate option B .
Checking for validity of option "C" -- 7m = (6m+1)X + {prime number - 2,3,5...}
it still don't help us deduct "a" conclusively. (for the same reason as stated above)
hence E is the best option.
~mva
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- Brent@GMATPrepNow
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Target question: What is the value of a?gmatdriller wrote:If a and b are two integers greater than zero such that a = 7m and
b = 6n + 1 for some integers m and n, what is the value of a?
(1)m = n
(2)When a is divided by b, the remainder is a prime number
Given: a = 7m, and b = 6n + 1 for some integers m and n
It probably won't take long to conclude that each statement alone is not sufficient. This leaves us with . . .
Statements 1 and 2 combined:
If m = n, then we can say that a = 7m, and b = 6m + 1
We want values of m such that 7m (aka a) divided by 6m + 1 (aka b) leaves a prime remainder.
From here, we can plug in m values to see which ones leave a prime remainder.
Try m = 1: we get 7 divided by 7 leaves remainder 0 (not prime)
Try m = 2: we get 14 divided by 13 leaves remainder 1 (not prime)
Try m = 3: we get 21 divided by 19 leaves remainder 2 (prime)
Aside: notice the pattern emerging?
Try m = 4: we get 28 divided by 25 leaves remainder 3 (prime)
Stop here.
We can see that a could equal 21 or a could equal 28
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, the combined statements are NOT SUFFICIENT
Answer = E
Cheers,
Brent
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