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# If n and y are positive integers and 450y=n^3

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If n and y are positive integers and 450y=n^3 [#permalink]  11 Apr 2010, 22:56
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59% (02:09) correct 41% (01:39) wrong based on 507 sessions
If x and y are positive integers and 450y=x^3, which of the following must be an integer?

i) $$\frac{y}{{3*2^2*5}}$$
ii) $$\frac{y}{{3^2*2*5}}$$
iii) $$\frac{y}{{3*2*5^2}}$$

a. None
b. i only
c. ii only
d. iii only
e. i, ii and iii

[Reveal] Spoiler:
B
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

Last edited by abhi758 on 11 Apr 2010, 23:58, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Number Properties [#permalink]  12 Apr 2010, 04:54
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abhi758 wrote:
If x and y are positive integers and $$450y=x^3$$, which of the following must be an integer?

i) $$\frac{y}{{3*2^2*5}}$$
ii) $$\frac{y}{{3^2*2*5}}$$
iii) $$\frac{y}{{3*2*5^2}}$$

a. None
b. i only
c. ii only
d. iii only
e. i, ii and iii

[Reveal] Spoiler:
B

"Must be an integer" means for the lowest possible value of $$y$$.

$$450y=x^3$$ --> $$2*3^2*5^2*y=x^3$$. As $$x$$ and $$y$$ are integers, $$y$$ must complete the powers of 2, 3, and 5 to cubes (generally to the multiple of 3). Thus $$y_{min}=2^2*3*5$$, in this case $$2*3^2*5^2*y=(2*3*5)^3=x^3$$. Notice that for this value of $$y$$ only the first option is an integer: $$\frac{y}{{3*2^2*5}}=\frac{2^2*3*5}{{3*2^2*5}}=1$$.

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Re: Number Properties [#permalink]  13 Apr 2010, 01:58
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shrivastavarohit wrote:
Moderator,

Can you elaborate more on the solution, seems unfathomable for simple minds like mine .

How did we deduce that "Minimum value of Y"?

$$x$$ and $$y$$ are integers and $$450y=x^3$$ --> $$450y$$ equals to cube of an integer. $$450y=2*3^2*5^2*y=x^3$$. The smallest value of $$y$$ for which $$2*3^2*5^2*y$$ is a cube of an integer is when $$y=2^2*3*5$$. In this case $$450y=(2*3^2*5^2)*(2^2*3*5)=(2*3*5)^3$$. Of course $$y$$ can take another values as well, for example $$y=2^5*3^4*5^7$$ and in this case $$450y=(2*3^2*5^2)*(2^5*3^4*5^7)=(2^3*3^2*5^3)^3$$, but the smallest value of $$y$$ is when $$y=2^2*3*5$$.

You can check the similar problems at:
og-quantitative-91750.html#p704028
division-factor-88388.html#p666722
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Re: 450y=n^3, finding integer [#permalink]  19 Jun 2012, 21:45
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enigma123 wrote:
If n and y are positive integers and 450y = n^3, which of the following must be an integer?

1. $$\frac{Y}{3 * 2^2 * 5}$$

2. $$\frac{Y}{3^2 * 2 * 5}$$

3. $$\frac{Y}{3 * 2 * 5^2}$$

A) None

B) I only

C) II Only

D) III only

E) I, II and III onmly.

The critical point in this question is that n and y are integers.
Since n is an integer, n^3 must be the cube of an integer. So in n^3, all the prime factors of n must be cubed (or have higher powers which are multiples of 3)

Now consider 450y = n^3
450 is not a perfect cube. So whatever is missing in 450, must be provided by y to make a perfect cube.

$$450 = 45*10 = 2 * 3^2 * 5^2$$

To make a perfect cube, we need at least two 2s, a 3 and a 5. These missing factors must be provided by y. Therefore, $$2^2*3*5$$ must be a factor of y.
This means $$y/2^2*3*5$$ must be an integer.
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Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for $199 Veritas Prep Reviews Manager Joined: 21 Oct 2013 Posts: 194 Location: Germany GMAT 1: 660 Q45 V36 GPA: 3.51 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 22 [2] , given: 19 Re: If n and y are positive integers and 450y=n^3 [#permalink] 31 Oct 2013, 04:49 2 This post received KUDOS I finally get it. If you want the cuberoot of 450y to be an integer, you need the primefactors to be cubed. So the primefactors we have for 450 are 2, 3², 5². To be perfect cubes, we need to multiply by 2², 3, 5 which in this case equals y. so we get that (2*3²*5²) * (2²*3*5) = 2³*3³*5³. If we'd cuberoot x now, we'd get an integer. This leads to the conclusion that y / 2²*3*5 = 1 = integer. So answer B. I tried explaining in simpler words so I'd get it myself, I hope it helps the you other non-math-overbrains. Greets Manager Joined: 16 Apr 2010 Posts: 222 Followers: 3 Kudos [?]: 64 [1] , given: 12 Re: problem solving [#permalink] 27 Jun 2010, 05:37 1 This post received KUDOS I am not sure if I got the question right. The way I understand this Q isthat 450y = n*n*n and the question is whether the given options are integers. The answer of above Q is as follows: We know that: n = cubic root (450y) = cubic root (2X3X3X5X5) For n to be an integer, y should be factor of 2X2X3X5. So y=(2X2X3X5)k where k is any natural number. if k = 1, y=2X2X3X5 so the answer is b. I hope this explanation meets your satisfaction. Last edited by jakolik on 27 Jun 2010, 20:35, edited 1 time in total. Retired Moderator Joined: 02 Sep 2010 Posts: 805 Location: London Followers: 83 Kudos [?]: 602 [1] , given: 25 Re: Tough integer properties question! [#permalink] 11 Oct 2010, 23:14 1 This post received KUDOS atomjuggler wrote: Raising the white flag on this one. I really hope I'm not missing something obvious Source: GMATPrep Test #1 If n and y are positive integers and 450y=n^3, which of the following must be an integer? I. $$\frac{y}{3*2^2*5}$$ II. $$\frac{y}{3^2*2*5}$$ III. $$\frac{y}{3*2*5^2}$$ A. None B. I only C. II only D. III only E. I, II, and III $$450*y=n^3$$ Since 450y is a whole cube, in the prime factorization of 450y, all the exponents on the prime factors must be multiples of 3. $$450*y = y * 3^2 * 5^2 * 2$$ So y must have atleast $$3, 5, 2^2$$ as prime factors. y must be of the form form 3x5x4xA where A is also another perfect cube. By this logic the answer is (I) only or B, as in all cases y/(3x5x4) has to be an integer. (ii) or (iii) cannot be true if A=1 Answer is (b) _________________ Math Expert Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 28272 Followers: 4476 Kudos [?]: 45194 [1] , given: 6646 Re: If n and y are positive integers and 450y=n^3 [#permalink] 23 May 2014, 09:53 1 This post received KUDOS Expert's post 2 This post was BOOKMARKED Intern Joined: 29 Mar 2010 Posts: 43 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 10 [0], given: 1 Re: Number Properties [#permalink] 12 Apr 2010, 22:15 Moderator, Can you elaborate more on the solution, seems unfathomable for simple minds like mine . How did we deduce that "Minimum value of Y"? _________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ros. Nice Post + Some help + Lucid solution = Kudos The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do | Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intern Joined: 29 Mar 2010 Posts: 43 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 10 [0], given: 1 Re: Number Properties [#permalink] 13 Apr 2010, 02:28 Thanks for the quick response it makes more sense now I will check out the problems (similar) on the threads mentioned by you. Is this really a GMAT question from the calculation it looks solving this should take more than 2 mins. Posted from my mobile device _________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ros. Nice Post + Some help + Lucid solution = Kudos The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do | Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intern Joined: 29 Mar 2010 Posts: 43 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 10 [0], given: 1 Re: Number Properties [#permalink] 13 Apr 2010, 02:32 Oops !!! One more important thing why is plugging in values applicable to these kind of problems? It seemed pretty simple from the question to plug in 2 integer values in the final equation and check for the integer output btw which miserably failed on all three equations. Posted from my mobile device _________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ros. Nice Post + Some help + Lucid solution = Kudos The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do | Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senior Manager Joined: 16 Jul 2009 Posts: 262 Followers: 3 Kudos [?]: 107 [0], given: 3 Re: Number Properties [#permalink] 14 Apr 2010, 22:00 Thanks Bunnel! your first explanation makes it crystal clear.. Senior Manager Joined: 30 Aug 2009 Posts: 286 Location: India Concentration: General Management Followers: 3 Kudos [?]: 111 [0], given: 5 Re: Algebra [#permalink] 08 Jan 2012, 04:29 kotela wrote: Can anyone please help me in solving this problem....... lets find prime factors of 450 = 2* 3* 3* 5* 5 for 450* y to be equal to n^3 450y needs to have 2,3and 5 three times ( as n is an integer ) i.e. 450 y = (2* 3* 3* 5* 5) (2*2*3*5) * x = n^3 now y = (2*2*3*5) * x only option 1 will then give an integer GMAT Club Legend Joined: 09 Sep 2013 Posts: 5371 Followers: 310 Kudos [?]: 60 [0], given: 0 Re: If n and y are positive integers and 450y=n^3 [#permalink] 28 Oct 2013, 12:36 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. _________________ Current Student Joined: 03 Aug 2012 Posts: 917 Concentration: General Management, General Management GMAT 1: 630 Q47 V29 GMAT 2: 680 Q50 V32 GPA: 3.7 WE: Information Technology (Investment Banking) Followers: 17 Kudos [?]: 349 [0], given: 322 Re: If n and y are positive integers and 450y=n^3 [#permalink] 19 Apr 2014, 21:11 Concept Tested: For a perfect square the powers should occur in pairs. For a perfect cube powers should occur in cubes. 450y = x^3 5^2 * 3^2 * 2 * y = x^3 For LHS to become a cube Y must be y= 5*3*2^2 Only (1) matches it. _________________ Rgds, TGC! _____________________________________________________________________ I Assisted You => KUDOS Please _____________________________________________________________________________ Manager Joined: 30 May 2013 Posts: 193 Location: India Concentration: Entrepreneurship, General Management GPA: 3.82 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 35 [0], given: 72 Re: If n and y are positive integers and 450y=n^3 [#permalink] 22 May 2014, 10:59 I could understand the options But tell y my alternate approach is wrong 450y = x^3 X and Y are integer 450 = 2*3^2*5^2 X=((2*3^2*5^2)y)/x^2 Note: as x is an integer if x = 2*3^2*5^2 X = y/ (2*3^2*5^2) And its option c). Please correct me. Thanks in advance. Intern Joined: 20 May 2014 Posts: 37 Location: India Schools: IIMC GMAT 1: 700 Q51 V32 Followers: 0 Kudos [?]: 24 [0], given: 16 Re: If n and y are positive integers and 450y=n^3 [#permalink] 22 May 2014, 12:11 Hi rrsnathan, Your approach is wrong because you are assuming 1 fixed value of $$x = 2*3^2*5^2$$ But question explicitly asks which option MUST be an integer always. In your assumption, Option C comes out to be an integer but that may not be true in other cases. So, Right method to solve it is: $$450y = x^3$$ $$(2*3^2*5^2) * y = x^3$$ For LHS to be a cube (As R.H.S is a cube), $$y = 2^2*3*5*k^3$$ (where k is a positive integer) Hence, Option (b) is always correct Rgds, Rajat _________________ If you liked the post, please press the'Kudos' button on the left Veritas Prep GMAT Instructor Joined: 16 Oct 2010 Posts: 5682 Location: Pune, India Followers: 1413 Kudos [?]: 7338 [0], given: 186 Re: If n and y are positive integers and 450y=n^3 [#permalink] 22 May 2014, 19:25 Expert's post rrsnathan wrote: I could understand the options But tell y my alternate approach is wrong 450y = x^3 X and Y are integer 450 = 2*3^2*5^2 X=((2*3^2*5^2)y)/x^2 Note: as x is an integer if x = 2*3^2*5^2 X = y/ (2*3^2*5^2) This is incorrect. Note that in the denominator, you have x^2, not x. You are assuming $$x = 2*3^2*5^2$$ and putting it as it is in the denominator. Also note that since you have the same x on the left hand side, if you put $$x = 2*3^2*5^2$$, you get $$2*3^2*5^2 = (2*3^2*5^2)*y/(2*3^2*5^2)^2$$ i.e. $$y = (2*3^2*5^2)^2$$ Basically, you have assumed a value of x and got a value of y. There is no reason for you to assume the value of x as $$2*3^2*5^2$$. The point here is that y must have some values such that when it multiplies 450, it gives a perfect cube. This is the method discussed above in my post. _________________ Karishma Veritas Prep | GMAT Instructor My Blog Get started with Veritas Prep GMAT On Demand for$199

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Re: If n and y are positive integers and 450y=n^3   [#permalink] 22 May 2014, 19:25
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