integers

[amyhussein]

h(n) is the product of all positive integers from 2 to n all inclusive. If p is the smallest prime of h(100)+1. what is the value of p?

a) 0 to 20
b) 20 to 25
c) 30
d) 40
e) >40

why e is teh correct answer?

[Anju@Gurome]

This has been discussed repeatedly in this forum. Just do a search before posting.

Refer to this post >> https://www.beatthegmat.com/integers-t102459.html#444130

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

h(n) is the product of all positive integers from 2 to n all inclusive. If p is the smallest prime of h(100)+1. what is the value of p?

a) 0 to 20
b) 20 to 25
c) 30
d) 40
e) >40

When posting questions, please use the spoiler function to hide the correct answer. This will allow others to attempt the question without seeing the final answer.

Important Concept: If k is a positive integer that's greater than 1, and if k is a factor (divisor) of N, then k is not a divisor of N+1
For example, since 7 is a factor of 350, we know that 7 is not a factor of (350+1)
Similarly, since 8 is a factor of 312, we know that 8 is not a factor of 313

Now let's examine h(100)
h(100) = (2)(4)(6)(8)....(96)(98)(100)
Factor to get: h(100) = 2[(1)(2)(3)(4)....(48)(49)(50)]

Since 2 is in the product of h(100), we know that 2 is a factor of h(100), which means that 2 is not a factor of h(100) +1 (based on the above rule)

Similarly, since 3 is in the product of h(100), we know that 3 is a factor of h(100), which means that 3 is not a factor of h(100) +1 (based on the above rule)

Similarly, since 5 is in the product of h(100), we know that 5 is a factor of h(100), which means that 5 is not a factor of h(100) +1 (based on the above rule)

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Similarly, since 47 is in the product of h(100), we know that 47 is a factor of h(100), which means that 47 is not a factor of h(100) +1 (based on the above rule)

So, we can see that none of the primes from 2 to 47 can be factors of h(100) +1, which means the smallest prime factor of h(100)+ 1 must be greater than 47.

Answer = E

Cheers,
Brent

[srcc25anu]

i think the correct question states that H(n) is the product of all positive EVEN integers from 2 to n all inclusive.

assuming this change in question stem:
h(100) = {2*4*6*8* ..... 98*100} => 2^50 (1*2*3*4* ..... 48*49*50)
hence H(100) is divisible by all numbers from 1 - 50

H(100) + 1 will not be divisible by any numbers from 1 - 50
therefore the samllest prime number that divides H(100)+1 should be greater than 50 hence Answer is E

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

i think the correct question states that H(n) is the product of all positive EVEN integers from 2 to n all inclusive.

assuming this change in question stem:
h(100) = {2*4*6*8* ..... 98*100} => 2^50 (1*2*3*4* ..... 48*49*50)
hence H(100) is divisible by all numbers from 1 - 50

H(100) + 1 will not be divisible by any numbers from 1 - 50
therefore the samllest prime number that divides H(100)+1 should be greater than 50 hence Answer is E

Good catch. The original question does, indeed, specify even integers only.

Cheers,
Brent

[GMATGuruNY]

I posted an explanation here:

https://www.beatthegmat.com/tough-prime- ... tml#333828