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First term in a sequence is a, and each term thereafter is k/11 greater than the term before it. If a and k are both positive integers but only one of them is a prime number, what is the sum of the first 100 terms in the sequence?
a + a + 99 (k/11)
= 2a + 9k

100×(2a + 9k )/2
=50 (2a+9k)

(1) 2a + 11k = 46
We have 2 equations in which we can solve for each variable
sufficient

(2) 3k = 14 - 2/3*a
We have 2 equations in which we can solve for each variable
sufficient

Answer:
D
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Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. In DS, Variable approach is the easiest and quickest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember equal number of variables and equations ensures a solution.


The first term in a sequence is a, and each term thereafter is k/11 greater than the term before it. If a and k are both positive integers but only one of them is a prime number, what is the sum of the first 100 terms in the sequence?

(1) 2a + 11k = 46
(2) 3k = 14 - 2/3*a

==> In the original condition, there are 2 variables (a,k) and we need 2 equations to match the number of variables and equations. Since there is 1 each in 1) and 2), C is likely the answer. Using 1) & 2) together, 1)=2) k=2, a=12 thus it is sufficient. Therefore the answer is D.
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Using 1 is not sufficient
Since we have s100= 50*46-2k
Using 2 we have
S100=50*42
So B?


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Ans should be C,
Unless we get values of a and k we cannot calculate sum,
to get values we need both the statements
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Wow, the question is really nasty. Rearanging 2 we get 2a+9k= 42. Both (12,2) and (3,4) satisfy the equation. However, if you rearrange condition given in the question using arithmetic progression formula, as Engr2012 did, you will see that 2 is sufficient.
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I believe answer should be A

If you evaluate the 2nd statement you get two sets of values for A and K i.e (a=3 and k=4 or a=12 and k=2) in this both solution leads to a single prime value but statement 1 there is only one possible solution with one prime number.

Bunuel plz comment

Thanks
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I myself marked A initially.

Condition 1 is sufficient
Condition 2, we get 2 answers a=3,k=4 or a= 12,k=2 so I don't think it is sufficient,initially but I think there is alternative for 2nd condition, Sum of AP comes out to be 50*(2a+9k), value of 2a+9k is given as 42 as per second condition so it is also sufficient
hence D
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Bunuel, Could you please tell me how (i) is sufficient to solve this.
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Bunuel
The first term in a sequence is a, and each term thereafter is k/11 greater than the term before it. If a and k are both positive integers but only one of them is a prime number, what is the sum of the first 100 terms in the sequence?

(1) 2a + 11k = 46
(2) 3k = 14 - 2/3*a


Kudos for a correct solution.

Shouldn't it be A?

Since stmt. 2 has two valid solutions of (a,k), i.e. (a,k) = (3,4) or (2,12)

From stmt.1 we can make sure (a,k) = (2,12)

how is this wrong?
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(2) 3k = 14 - 2/3*a
Shouldn't it be A?
Since stmt. 2 has two valid solutions of (a,k), i.e. (a,k) = (3,4) or (2,12)
From stmt.1 we can make sure (a,k) = (2,12)
how is this wrong?

First of all not (2,12), but (12,2). You are asked to find the sum of 100 numbers of the set, which = 50*(2a+9k)

In both cases (3,4) or (12,2), the Sum = 50*42. So B is sufficient too.
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Ans should be C,
Unless we get values of a and k we cannot calculate sum,
to get values we need both the statements

Not really. Look below. In DS questions, you need to absolutely sure that you will not get an answer by using the statements alone.

Sum of n terms of an arithmetic progression (a sequence in which each term after the 1st one is related to the previous term by a constant, k/11 in this case) =\(\frac{n*[2*a+(n-1)*d]}{2}\)

where, n =100, d = k/11

Substituting, we get,

Sum of 100 terms = 50* [2a+9k]

Per statement 2, after rearranging the terms, we get 2a+9k = 46. Thus this statement is sufficient to give the sum of 100 terms = 50*46 = a unique value.

Per statement 1, 2a+11k = 46 ---> a = (46-11k)/2 and as 'a' is a positive integer (>0), the only possible values of k to give integer value of 'a' are k = 4 or k =2

Thus we get , a=12 when k =2 or a=1 when k=4.

Case 2: a=1 when k=4 , NOT possible as we are told that 1 of 'a' and 'k' is a prime number and as both 1 and 4 are NOT primes, this case is discarded.

Case 1: a=12 when k =2 , possible as 2 is a prime number. Thus this is the only case possible and hence statement 1 is sufficient as well.

Thus both statements are sufficient on their own.

D is the correct answer.


Good explanation

is there any short simple explanation anybody can share
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Bunuel
The first term in a sequence is a, and each term thereafter is k/11 greater than the term before it. If a and k are both positive integers but only one of them is a prime number, what is the sum of the first 100 terms in the sequence?

(1) 2a + 11k = 46
(2) 3k = 14 - (2/3)*a


Kudos for a correct solution.

Series is in AP.
d = k/11
—> Sum of n terms = n/2*[2a + (n - 1)d]
—> Sum of 100 terms = 100/2*[2a + 99*k/11]
= 59*[2a + 9k]

Only one of a and k is prime

(1) 2a + 11k = 46
If k = 1, a = 17.5 (Not possible)
k = 2, a = 12 (Possible)
k = 3, a = 6.5 (Not Possible)
k = 4, a = 1 (Not Possible)

We get unique value of a & k.
—> we can calculate sum of 100 terms value

Sufficient

(2) 3k = 14 - (2/3)*a
—> 3k = (42 - 2*a)/3
—> 9k = 42 - 2a
—> 2a + 9k = 42

So, Sum of 100 terms = 50*42

Sufficient

IMO Option D

Pls Hit kudos if you like the solution

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Instead of going by the conventional method i.e. identifying this question to be Arithmetic progression and solving. I suggest to solve by plugging in numbers.
It is fairly simple considering the fact that both a and k are positive integers and only one of them is prime.


For Statement-1: Focus on setting k and see what value of k gives an integer for a
Upon one-two iterations we get (a,k) = {(1,4), (12,2)}
and only (a,k)=(12,2) satisfies prime condition given in problem

Similarly, try to plug in for Statement-2

We identify that 2 statement independently can be used to answer the question. Hence Option D is the answer

This process took me 1min 58secs
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no necessary to calculate the sum if we know value of a and k.


based on that a or k is a prime (but not both of them are prime figures)

for (1) 2a + 11k = 46, we know it's a=12, k =2, sufficient

for (2) 3k = 14 - (2/3)*a, we know it's a=3, k=4, suffienct
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