If Z is an integer, is 22 a factor of Z?
(1) 22 is a factor of 15Z.
(2) 22 is a factor of 16Z.
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theachiever
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Anindya Madhudor
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Statement I:
22=2*11
15z= 3*5*z
15 and 22 do not have any common factors.
So, if 22 is a factor of 15Z, 22 has to be a factor of z.
Sufficient.
Statement II:
Same logic as before.
In this case, 22 and 16 have 2 as a common factor. So, 22 may or may not be a factor of z. For example, if z=11, then 22 will be a factor of 16Z, but not of z. When z is 22, 22 is a factor of both z and 16z.
Not sufficient.
22=2*11
15z= 3*5*z
15 and 22 do not have any common factors.
So, if 22 is a factor of 15Z, 22 has to be a factor of z.
Sufficient.
Statement II:
Same logic as before.
In this case, 22 and 16 have 2 as a common factor. So, 22 may or may not be a factor of z. For example, if z=11, then 22 will be a factor of 16Z, but not of z. When z is 22, 22 is a factor of both z and 16z.
Not sufficient.
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Brent@GMATPrepNow
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Preamble: A lot of integer property questions can be solved using prime factorization.theachiever wrote:If Z is an integer, is 22 a factor of Z?
(1) 22 is a factor of 15Z.
(2) 22 is a factor of 16Z.
For questions involving divisibility, divisors, factors and multiples, we can say:
If N is divisible by k, then k is "hiding" within the prime factorization of N
Examples:
24 is divisible by 3 <--> 24 = 2x2x2x3
70 is divisible by 5 <--> 70 = 2x5x7
330 is divisible by 6 <--> 330 = 2x3x5x11
56 is divisible by 8 <--> 56 = 2x2x2x7
Target question: Is 22 a factor of Z?
Rephrased target question: Is Z divisible by 22?
Rephrased target question: Is 22 "hiding" in the prime factorization of Z?
Rephrased target question: Does the prime factorization of Z include 2 and 11?
Let's go with the last rephrased target question.
Statement 1: 22 is a factor of 15Z
In other words, 22 is "hiding" in the prime factorization of 15Z
Since 15 = (3)(5), we can say that the prime factorization of (3)(5)Z includes a 2 and an 11
From this we can conclude that the prime factorization of Z must include a 2 and an 11
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is SUFFICIENT
Statement 2: 22 is a factor of 16Z.
In other words, 22 is "hiding" in the prime factorization of 16Z
Since 16 = (2)(2)(2)(2), we can say that the prime factorization of (2)(2)(2)(2)Z includes a 2 and an 11
This leads us to several possible cases. Here are two:
Case a: Z = (2)(11), in which case the prime factorization of Z includes a 2 and an 11
Case b: Z = 11, in which case the prime factorization of Z does not include a 2 and an 11
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT
Answer = A
Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
