Which of the following are/is prime?
I. 143
II. 147
III. 149
(A) II only
(B) III only
(C) I & II
(D) I & III
(E) I, II, & III
OA B
Source: Magoosh
Which of the following are/is prime?
This topic has expert replies
-
- Moderator
- Posts: 7187
- Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2017 4:43 pm
- Followed by:23 members
GMAT/MBA Expert
- Brent@GMATPrepNow
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 16207
- Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pm
- Location: Vancouver, BC
- Thanked: 5254 times
- Followed by:1268 members
- GMAT Score:770
I. 143BTGmoderatorDC wrote:Which of the following are/is prime?
I. 143
II. 147
III. 149
(A) II only
(B) III only
(C) I & II
(D) I & III
(E) I, II, & III
143 = (11)(13)
Since 143 is NOT prime, we can ELIMINATE C, D and E
II. 147
Notice that 147 = 140 + 7
Since 140 is divisible by 7, and 7 is divisible by 7, we know that 147 is divisible by 7.
Since 147 is NOT prime, we can ELIMINATE A
So, the answer (by the process of elimination) is B
Cheers,
Brent
GMAT/MBA Expert
- Scott@TargetTestPrep
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 7266
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Thanked: 43 times
- Followed by:29 members
Since 143 = 11 x 13, 143 is not a prime.BTGmoderatorDC wrote:Which of the following are/is prime?
I. 143
II. 147
III. 149
(A) II only
(B) III only
(C) I & II
(D) I & III
(E) I, II, & III
Since 147 = 7 x 21, 147 is not a prime.
149 is a prime since there is no multiplication of two numbers that equals 149 other than 1 x 149.
Answer: B
Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]
See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews
- fskilnik@GMATH
- GMAT Instructor
- Posts: 1449
- Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2010 2:16 pm
- Thanked: 59 times
- Followed by:33 members
\[?\,\,\,:\,\,\,{\text{prime(s)}}\]BTGmoderatorDC wrote:Which of the following are/is prime?
I. 143
II. 147
III. 149
(A) II only
(B) III only
(C) I & II
(D) I & III
(E) I, II, & III
Source: Magoosh
It´s useful to know that 1-4+3 = 0 guarantees that 143 is divisible by 11 (*), hence I. is refuted and we are left with alternative choices (A), (B) only.
(*) Check this: https://www.math.hmc.edu/funfacts/ffiles/10013.5.shtml
The number 147 may be written as 140+7 (**) therefore from the fact that 140 and 7 are both divisible by 7, we are sure their sum (147) is also divisible by 7.
Hence II. is refuted and we are left with alternative choice (B) as the only "survivor". We are done!
(**) This is the "breaking numbers" technique, presented and extensively used in our method since the very beginning!
This solution follows the notations and rationale taught in the GMATH method.
Regards,
Fabio.
P.S.: people like to believe that our course, probably the most mathematical-oriented of the whole PLANET(!), would not take the alternative choices into account.
VERY far from true. The winning triad is the backbone of our method and "alternative choices evaluation" is its third leg!
Fabio Skilnik :: GMATH method creator ( Math for the GMAT)
English-speakers :: https://www.gmath.net
Portuguese-speakers :: https://www.gmath.com.br
English-speakers :: https://www.gmath.net
Portuguese-speakers :: https://www.gmath.com.br