If x < 20, How many distinct factors does odd number x ha

This topic has expert replies
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1100
Joined: Sat May 10, 2014 11:34 pm
Location: New Delhi, India
Thanked: 205 times
Followed by:24 members
If x < 20, How many distinct factors does odd number x have?

1) 16x is divisible by 24

2) 14x is not divisible by 15


Source: https://www.GMATinsight.com

Answer: Option C
"GMATinsight"Bhoopendra Singh & Sushma Jha
Most Comprehensive and Affordable Video Course 2000+ CONCEPT Videos and Video Solutions
Whatsapp/Mobile: +91-9999687183 l [email protected]
Contact for One-on-One FREE ONLINE DEMO Class Call/e-mail
Most Efficient and affordable One-On-One Private tutoring fee - US$40-50 per hour

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 82
Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2018 2:01 am

by DrMaths » Wed Jan 31, 2018 9:58 am
Possible values: x = 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19

Write values as products of prime factors:
x = 1,3,5,7,3^2,11,13,(3*5),17,19

1) (2^4)x is divisible by (2^3)*3 simplified becomes 2x is divisible by 3, so x is divisible by 3, so x =3,9,15
2) (2*7)x is not divisible by 3*5 simplified becomes x is not divisible by 3*5, so x is not 15

So (1) and (2) combined results in x = 3, 3^2, i.,e. there is only 1 distinct factor: 3
Therefore (1) and (2) are both required to be SUFFICIENT

Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 82
Joined: Mon Jan 15, 2018 2:01 am

by DrMaths » Wed Feb 28, 2018 10:44 am
GMATinsight wrote:If x < 20, How many distinct factors does odd number x have?

FROM STATEMENT 1:
16x = 2*2*2*2*x
24 = 2*2*2*3
So 16x/24 = 2x/3, means that x is divisible by 3
So x = 3, 9, 15, which gives 2 distinct factors: 3 and 5

FROM STATEMENT 2:
14x = 2*7*x
15 = 3*5*
So 14x/15 = 2*7*x/(3*5), means that for non divisibility, then x is not divisible by 15
So x = 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17, 19, which gives 8 distinct factors: 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19

Hence, using both statements, x = 3 or 9, meaning only 1 distinct factor: 3

Therefore either Statement A alone, or Statement B alone, or both statements combined will all generate an answer.
However, only both statements together reduce it to a single unquestionable factor.




1) 16x is divisible by 24

2) 14x is not divisible by 15


Source: https://www.GMATinsight.com

Answer: Option C