If a is a positive integer and 81 divided by a results in a

Yes, 10 divided by 20 yields the remainder of 10.

THEORY:
Positive integer \(a\) divided by positive integer \(d\) yields a reminder of \(r\) can always be expressed as \(a=qd+r\), where \(q\) is called a quotient and \(r\) is called a remainder, note here that \(0\leq{r}<d\) (remainder is non-negative integer and always less than divisor).

For example positive integer n is divided by 25 yields the remainder of 13 can be expressed as: \(n=25q+13\). Now, the lowest value of \(q\) can be zero and in this case \(n=13\) --> 13 divided by 25 yields the remainder of 13. Generally when divisor (25 in our case) is more than dividend (13 in our case) then the reminder equals to the dividend. For example:
3 divided by 24 yields a reminder of 3 --> \(3=0*24+3\);
or:
5 divided by 6 yields a reminder of 5 --> \(5=0*6+5\),

Hope it's clear.

Thanks for the solution

I have one doubt ...
as per the 2nd statement when 40 is divided by a remainder is 40 i.e. 40 = aq +40 or aq =0 ?

can you please explain this also ..

Yes, "the remainder when 40 is divided by a is 40" can be written as \(40=ap+40\) --> \(ap=0\). What is the point of confusion here?

Given a > 0 & 81 = ak + 1

a = ?

Statement 1:

The remainder when a is divided by 40 is 0

a = 40p = 40 or 80
to satisfy 81 = ak + 1

Statement 1 is Not Sufficient.

Statement 2:

The remainder when 40 is divided by a is 40

40 = aq + 40, hence a > 40 & has to satisfy 81 = ak + 1

Hence a = 80

Statement 2 is Sufficient.

Answer B.


Thanks,
GyM

Target question: What is the value of a?

Given: 81 divided by a results in a remainder of 1
In other words, 81 is 1 greater than some multiple of a
This means that 80 is some multiple of a
Another way to say this is: a is a divisor of 80
The divisors of 80 are: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 40, 80
So, the possible values of a are: 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 40, 80
ASIDE: I omitted 1 from the list, since it does not satisfy the condition of getting a remainder of 1 when 81 is divided by 1.

Statement 1: The remainder when a is divided by 40 is 0.
The possible values of a are: 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 40, 80
As you can see, there are two possible values of a satisfy statement 1.
Case a: a = 40. This works, because 40 divided by 40 leaves remainder 0. In this case, the answer to the target question is a = 40
Case b:a = 80. This works, because 80 divided by 40 leaves remainder 0. In this case, the answer to the target question is a = 80
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: The remainder when 40 is divided by a is 40.
The possible values of a are: 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 40, 80
As you can see, ONLY ONE possible value of a satisfies statement 2.
When a = 80, we get a remainder of 40 when 40 is divided by 80
So, the answer to the target question is a = 80
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is SUFFICIENT

Answer: B

Cheers,
Brent

RELATED VIDEO FROM OUR COURSE

Very nice conceptual problem!

\(a \ge 1\,\,{\mathop{\rm int}} \,\,\,\,\,\left( * \right)\)

\(81 = M \cdot a + 1\,\,,\,\,M\mathop \ge \limits^{\left( * \right)} 1\,\,{\mathop{\rm int}} \,\,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\,\,M \cdot a = 80\,\,\,\,\,\,\mathop \Rightarrow \limits^{\left( * \right)} \,\,\,a \le 80\,\,{\rm{is}}\,\,{\rm{a}}\,\,{\rm{positive}}\,\,{\rm{divisor}}\,\,{\rm{of}}\,\,80\,\,\,\,\left( {**} \right)\)

\(? = a\)


\(\left( 1 \right)\,\,a = 40J\,\,,\,\,\,J\mathop \ge \limits^{\left( * \right)} 1\,\,\,{\mathop{\rm int}} \left\{ \matrix{\\
\,{\rm{Take}}\,\,J = 1\,\,\,\,\left( {M = 2} \right)\,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\,\,? = 40\,\,\,\,{\rm{viable}} \hfill \cr \\
\,{\rm{Take}}\,\,J = 2\,\,\,\,\left( {M = 1} \right)\,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\,\,? = 80\,\,\,\,{\rm{viable}} \hfill \cr} \right.\)


\(\left( 2 \right)\,\,40 = N \cdot a + \underline {40} \,\,,\,\,N\,\,{\mathop{\rm int}} \,\,\,\,\mathop \Rightarrow \limits^{\left( * \right)} \,\,\,\,\left\{ \matrix{\\
\,a\,\, > \,\,\underline {40} \hfill \cr \\
\,N = 0 \hfill \cr} \right.\,\,\,\,\,\,\mathop \Rightarrow \limits^{\left( {**} \right)} \,\,\,\,\,\,a = 80\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,\,\,{\rm{SUFF}}.\)


We follow the notations and rationale taught in the GMATH method.

Regards,
Fabio.

Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.