Divisibility

This topic has expert replies
Source: — Problem Solving |

User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 490
Joined: Thu Jul 04, 2013 7:30 am
Location: Chennai, India
Thanked: 83 times
Followed by:5 members

by Uva@90 » Sat Nov 09, 2013 1:58 am
Hi Vishugogo,
For this problem we need to Rephrase the Question as much as possible,
Given:
a/6 + b/5 = c/30 ==> 5a + 6b = c

Divide above equation by 5

a + (6/5)*b = c/5

Now you try to solve it.

Regards,
Uva
Known is a drop Unknown is an Ocean

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Sat Nov 09, 2013 3:42 am
If a, b and c are positive integers and a/6 + b/5 = c/30, is c divisible by 5?

(1) b is divisible by 5
(2) a is even
To clear the fractions in the question stem, multiply each side by 30:

30 * (a/6 + b/5) = 30 * (c/30)
5a + 6b = c
c = 5a + 6b.

Statement 1: b is divisible by 5
If a=1 and b=5, then c = 5*1 + 6*5 = 35.
If a=2 and b=20, then c = 5*2 + 6*20 = 130.
In each case, c is a multiple of 5.
Perhaps one more case to confirm:
If a=3 and b=100, then c = 5*3 + 6*100 = 615.
In every case, c is a multiple of 5.
SUFFICIENT.

Statement 2: a is even
If a=2 and b=20, then c = 130, as shown above.
In this case, c is a multiple of 5.
If a=2 and b=1, then c = 5*2 + 6*1 = 16.
In this case, c is NOT a multiple of 5.
INSUFFICIENT.

The correct answer is A.

Statement 1 indicates the following:
b = 5k, where k is a positive integer.
Implication:
c = 5a + 6*(5k) = 5(a + 6k) = 5 * integer.
Thus, c is a multiple of 5.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
Followed by:511 members
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Sat Nov 09, 2013 12:49 pm
Hi vishugogo,

This DS question can be solved in a number of different ways. It's perfect for TESTing Values, but there's also a Number Property built into it that you might find useful:

Everyone in this string of posts has correctly deduced that "rewriting" the given equation is a must:

5A + 6B = C

We're also told that A, B and C are positive integers. We're asked if C is a multiple of 5? This is a YES/NO question.

Fact 1: B is a multiple of 5.

You can absolutely TEST Values here, but here's the Number Property worth knowing...

Since A is an integer, 5A is a MULTIPLE of 5
We're told that B is a multiple of 5, so 6B is a MULTIPLE of 5

If you add a multiple of 5 to another multiple of 5, then you end up with a MULTIPLE of 5!!!
So, C will ALWAYS be a multiple of 5
Fact 1 is SUFFICIENT

Fact 2: A is even

5A will be multiple of 5, since 5(even) is a multiple of 5
However, 6B may or may not be a multiple of 5, depending on what B is.
For example, if B=1, then 6B = 6; if B = 5, then 6B = 30

There's no way to know if we'll end up with a sum that is a multiple of 5 or not.
Fact 2 is INSUFFICIENT.

Final Answer: A

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image