x, y, a, and b are positive integers. When x is divided by y

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x, y, a, and b are positive integers. When x is divided by y [#permalink]

19 Jan 2012, 17:07

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Question Stats:

58% (01:11) correct

41% (01:59) wrong

based on 1 sessions

x, y, a, and b are positive integers. When x is divided by y, the remainder is 6. When a is divided by b, the remainder is 9. Which of the following is NOT a possible value for y + b?
a)24
b)21
c)20
d)17
e)15

My answer is A as I can get other values. But the OA is not given. What I am keen on asking is "I have solved this question by picking the values for x,y,a and b. Is there any shortcut and do you guys agree with my answer?

[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

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Re: NOT A VALUE [#permalink]

19 Jan 2012, 17:29

enigma123 wrote:

Important note: remainder is ALWAYS less than divisor, thus y>6 and b>9 --> y+b>15.

Answer: E.
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Director

Status: Preparing for the 4th time -:(

Joined: 25 Jun 2011

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Location: United Kingdom

Concentration: International Business, Strategy

GMAT Date: 06-22-2012

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Kudos [?]: 63 [0], given: 212

Re: x, y, a, and b are positive integers. When x is divided by y [#permalink]

24 Jan 2012, 18:35

Thanks for the tip.
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Kudos [?]: 15 [0], given: 7

Re: x, y, a, and b are positive integers. When x is divided by y [#permalink]

25 Jan 2012, 02:01

Sometimes the answers is so easy. U just need to figure it out.

Thanks Bunuel

I picked "E" too, but tried to figure it out by picking numbers. Took me ages

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Kudos [?]: 2017 [1] , given: 92

Re: x, y, a, and b are positive integers. When x is divided by y [#permalink]

25 Jan 2012, 04:59

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enigma123 wrote:

I would suggest you to analyze each statement as you read it. Often, you will find that you are very close to the answer by the time you read the last sentence of the question.

"When x is divided by y, the remainder is 6."
Here, I say to myself, "Ok, so y must be greater than 6 and x is either 6 or at least 6 greater than y."

If you are not sure how I deduced this, check out these posts:
http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2011/04 ... unraveled/
http://www.veritasprep.com/blog/2011/04 ... y-applied/
If y is anything less than 6, you can make one more group!

When a is divided by b, the remainder is 9.
Now I say, "b must be greater than 9 and a is either 9 or at least 9 greater than y."

Which of the following is NOT a possible value for y + b
I already know that y must be greater than 6 and b must be greater than 9. So (y+b) must be greater than 15. Now I will just look for an option <= 15
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Re: x, y, a, and b are positive integers. When x is divided by y [#permalink] 25 Jan 2012, 04:59

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