GMAT Question of the Day - Daily to your Mailbox; hard ones only

 It is currently 19 Jul 2018, 11:52

### GMAT Club Daily Prep

#### Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

# Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are

Author Message
TAGS:

### Hide Tags

Senior Manager
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Posts: 301
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

Updated on: 23 May 2013, 05:03
1
12
00:00

Difficulty:

5% (low)

Question Stats:

84% (00:21) correct 16% (00:37) wrong based on 1068 sessions

### HideShow timer Statistics

Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only a finite number of nonzero digits?

(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8

Originally posted by vaivish1723 on 23 Jan 2010, 00:37.
Last edited by Bunuel on 23 May 2013, 05:03, edited 2 times in total.
Edited the OA, it must be B not E
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 47112
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

23 Jan 2010, 00:54
6
10
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8

Oa is

Theory:
Reduced fraction $$\frac{a}{b}$$ (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only $$b$$ (denominator) is of the form $$2^n5^m$$, where $$m$$ and $$n$$ are non-negative integers. For example: $$\frac{7}{250}$$ is a terminating decimal $$0.028$$, as $$250$$ (denominator) equals to $$2*5^3$$. Fraction $$\frac{3}{30}$$ is also a terminating decimal, as $$\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}$$ and denominator $$10=2*5$$.

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

_________________
##### General Discussion
Senior Manager
Joined: 24 Jul 2009
Posts: 258

### Show Tags

29 Jan 2010, 09:22
1
Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8

Oa is

Theory:
Reduced fraction $$\frac{a}{b}$$ (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only $$b$$ (denominator) is of the form $$2^n5^m$$, where $$m$$ and $$n$$ are non-negative integers. For example: $$\frac{7}{250}$$ is a terminating decimal $$0.028$$, as $$250$$ (denominator) equals to $$2*5^2$$. Fraction $$\frac{3}{30}$$ is also a terminating decimal, as $$\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}$$ and denominator $$10=2*5$$.

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

Answer: B. (OA must be wrong)

Hello Bunuel

How can we say that the fraction given is a "reduced fraction". Because if it's not than 70/8 is a non-terminating value.
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 47112

### Show Tags

29 Jan 2010, 10:18
1
nverma wrote:
Hello Bunuel

How can we say that the fraction given is a "reduced fraction". Because if it's not than 70/8 is a non-terminating value.

Denominator already has only 2-s so in this case it's doesn't matter whether the fraction is reduced or not.

For example $$\frac{x}{2^n5^m}$$, (where x, n and m are integers) will always be the terminating decimal.

We need reducing in case when we have the prime in denominator other then 2 or 5 to see whether it could be reduced. For example fraction $$\frac{6}{15}$$ has 3 as prime in denominator and we need to know if it can be reduced.

Hope it's clear.
_________________
Manager
Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Posts: 120

### Show Tags

18 Feb 2010, 05:29
Bunuel please excuse the stupid question but I'm quite weak in these types of questions.

* Does the rule basically say that any integer divided by either 2, 5, a multiple of either, or a product of these multiples will have a finite amount of decimals?

So any integer divided by any multiple of 5 will have a finite amount of decimals, etc.?

* And another basic question: 0 is neither positive nor negative right?

* I also don't completely understand what to do when we don't know whether the fraction is reduced to its lowest form. Can we still apply the same rule?
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 47112

### Show Tags

18 Feb 2010, 07:43
3
nickk wrote:
Bunuel please excuse the stupid question but I'm quite weak in these types of questions.

1.Does the rule basically say that any integer divided by either 2, 5, a multiple of either, or a product of these multiples will have a finite amount of decimals?

2. So any integer divided by any multiple of 5 will have a finite amount of decimals, etc.?

3. And another basic question: 0 is neither positive nor negative right?

4. I also don't completely understand what to do when we don't know whether the fraction is reduced to its lowest form. Can we still apply the same rule?

1. Not multiples but when denominator has only 2 and/or 5 in any integer power;
2. No, multiples of 5 are 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ... 1/30 won't be terminating as there is 3 in denominator. Maybe you meant 5 in any power? Then yes;
3. Yes, (though it's even);
4. If fraction has only 2 or/and 5 in denominator then it does not matter whether it's reduced. If there is some other integer in denominator we need reducing to see whether it can be cancelled.
_________________
Manager
Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Posts: 120

### Show Tags

18 Feb 2010, 08:01
Thanks! that explains everything
Manager
Joined: 20 Nov 2010
Posts: 179

### Show Tags

05 Oct 2011, 22:47
Nice explanation there! Answer should be B
_________________

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MGMAT 6 650 (51,31) on 31/8/11
MGMAT 1 670 (48,33) on 04/9/11
MGMAT 2 670 (47,34) on 07/9/11
MGMAT 3 680 (47,35) on 18/9/11
GMAT Prep1 680 ( 50, 31) on 10/11/11

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CR notes
http://gmatclub.com/forum/massive-collection-of-verbal-questions-sc-rc-and-cr-106195.html#p832142
http://gmatclub.com/forum/1001-ds-questions-file-106193.html#p832133
http://gmatclub.com/forum/gmat-prep-critical-reasoning-collection-106783.html
http://gmatclub.com/forum/how-to-get-6-0-awa-my-guide-64327.html
http://gmatclub.com/forum/how-to-get-6-0-awa-my-guide-64327.html?hilit=chineseburned

Intern
Joined: 26 May 2011
Posts: 18
Location: United States

### Show Tags

06 Oct 2011, 07:34
1
How to know these properties before, some book/site has these properties covered thoroughly.
Math Forum Moderator
Joined: 20 Dec 2010
Posts: 1899

### Show Tags

06 Oct 2011, 07:41
1
arnoorichenna wrote:
How to know these properties before, some book/site has these properties covered thoroughly.

gmat-math-book-87417.html
MGMAT Strategy Guides 4th Edition
OG12, OG Quantitative Review 2

Nothing else is required beyond these for GMAT related quantitative concepts.
_________________
Manager
Joined: 21 Aug 2010
Posts: 180
Location: United States
GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V35

### Show Tags

06 Oct 2011, 13:42
It is a repeat

soln is explained in

700-question-94641.html
_________________

-------------------------------------

Senior Manager
Joined: 15 Aug 2013
Posts: 271
Re: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

16 Sep 2014, 19:01
Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8

Oa is

Theory:
Reduced fraction $$\frac{a}{b}$$ (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only $$b$$ (denominator) is of the form $$2^n5^m$$, where $$m$$ and $$n$$ are non-negative integers. For example: $$\frac{7}{250}$$ is a terminating decimal $$0.028$$, as $$250$$ (denominator) equals to $$2*5^2$$. Fraction $$\frac{3}{30}$$ is also a terminating decimal, as $$\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}$$ and denominator $$10=2*5$$.

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

Hi Bunuel,

One question -- if we know that the denominator only has powers of 5 OR only has powers of 2 -- it's irrelevant if the denominator is great or less than the numerator, the fraction will still end up in a terminating decimal. is that correct?
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 47112
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

17 Sep 2014, 00:15
russ9 wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8

Oa is

Theory:
Reduced fraction $$\frac{a}{b}$$ (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only $$b$$ (denominator) is of the form $$2^n5^m$$, where $$m$$ and $$n$$ are non-negative integers. For example: $$\frac{7}{250}$$ is a terminating decimal $$0.028$$, as $$250$$ (denominator) equals to $$2*5^2$$. Fraction $$\frac{3}{30}$$ is also a terminating decimal, as $$\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}$$ and denominator $$10=2*5$$.

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

Hi Bunuel,

One question -- if we know that the denominator only has powers of 5 OR only has powers of 2 -- it's irrelevant if the denominator is great or less than the numerator, the fraction will still end up in a terminating decimal. is that correct?

Yes. $$\frac{integer}{2^n5^m}$$, for nonnegative integers n and m, will be a terminating decimal irrespective of the numerator.
_________________
Current Student
Status: The Final Countdown
Joined: 07 Mar 2013
Posts: 288
Concentration: Technology, General Management
GMAT 1: 710 Q47 V41
GPA: 3.84
WE: Information Technology (Computer Software)
Re: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

25 Dec 2014, 12:30
Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8

Oa is

Theory:
Reduced fraction $$\frac{a}{b}$$ (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only $$b$$ (denominator) is of the form $$2^n5^m$$, where $$m$$ and $$n$$ are non-negative integers. For example: $$\frac{7}{250}$$ is a terminating decimal $$0.028$$, as $$250$$ (denominator) equals to $$2*5^3$$. Fraction $$\frac{3}{30}$$ is also a terminating decimal, as $$\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}$$ and denominator $$10=2*5$$.

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

the doubt i have regarding this concept is:

The prime factors of the denominator cannot be anything except 2 and/or 5?
eg. 1/30 will not be a terminating decimal as it has 3 too?
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 47112
Re: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

25 Dec 2014, 12:47
Ralphcuisak wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8

Oa is

Theory:
Reduced fraction $$\frac{a}{b}$$ (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only $$b$$ (denominator) is of the form $$2^n5^m$$, where $$m$$ and $$n$$ are non-negative integers. For example: $$\frac{7}{250}$$ is a terminating decimal $$0.028$$, as $$250$$ (denominator) equals to $$2*5^3$$. Fraction $$\frac{3}{30}$$ is also a terminating decimal, as $$\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}$$ and denominator $$10=2*5$$.

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

the doubt i have regarding this concept is:

The prime factors of the denominator cannot be anything except 2 and/or 5?
eg. 1/30 will not be a terminating decimal as it has 3 too?

Yes, 1/30 will not be a terminating decimal.
_________________
Manager
Joined: 02 Jul 2016
Posts: 114
Re: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

02 May 2018, 10:37
Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8

Oa is

Theory:
Reduced fraction $$\frac{a}{b}$$ (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only $$b$$ (denominator) is of the form $$2^n5^m$$, where $$m$$ and $$n$$ are non-negative integers. For example: $$\frac{7}{250}$$ is a terminating decimal $$0.028$$, as $$250$$ (denominator) equals to $$2*5^3$$. Fraction $$\frac{3}{30}$$ is also a terminating decimal, as $$\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}$$ and denominator $$10=2*5$$.

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

Hi Bunuel,
In this question it was not mentioned that P/Q is in reduced form
So how can we use the 2\sqrt{m}*5\sqrt{n}.

Is it assumed that it is in reduced form??
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 47112
Re: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

02 May 2018, 12:21
suramya26 wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
vaivish1723 wrote:
26
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?
(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8

Oa is

Theory:
Reduced fraction $$\frac{a}{b}$$ (meaning that fraction is already reduced to its lowest term) can be expressed as terminating decimal if and only $$b$$ (denominator) is of the form $$2^n5^m$$, where $$m$$ and $$n$$ are non-negative integers. For example: $$\frac{7}{250}$$ is a terminating decimal $$0.028$$, as $$250$$ (denominator) equals to $$2*5^3$$. Fraction $$\frac{3}{30}$$ is also a terminating decimal, as $$\frac{3}{30}=\frac{1}{10}$$ and denominator $$10=2*5$$.

Question: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only
a finite number of nonzero digits?

According to the above we must determine whether the denominator (after reducing the fraction, if possible) contains only the 2-s and/or 5-s as the prime factors.

(1) P>Q, clearly insufficient.

(2) Q=8=2^3, hence denominator has only 2 as prime factor. Fraction P/Q will be terminated decimal. Sufficient.

Hi Bunuel,
In this question it was not mentioned that P/Q is in reduced form
So how can we use the 2\sqrt{m}*5\sqrt{n}.

Is it assumed that it is in reduced form??

If denominator already has only 2-s and/or 5-s then it doesn't matter whether the fraction is reduced or not.

For example $$\frac{x}{2^n5^m}$$, (where x, n and m are integers) will always be the terminating decimal.

We need reducing in case when we have the prime in denominator other then 2 or 5 to see whether it could be reduced. For example fraction $$\frac{6}{15}$$ has 3 as prime in denominator and we need to know if it can be reduced.
_________________
Intern
Joined: 02 May 2015
Posts: 1
Concentration: Finance, Accounting
GPA: 3.45
Re: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

18 Jun 2018, 03:07
vaivish1723 wrote:
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only a finite number of nonzero digits?

(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8

What does this question mean?
DS Forum Moderator
Joined: 22 Aug 2013
Posts: 1285
Location: India
Re: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

18 Jun 2018, 22:22
vaivish1723 wrote:
Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are positive integers, contain only a finite number of nonzero digits?

(1) P>Q
(2) Q=8

What does this question mean?

Lets look at a fraction 1/2. When you convert 1/2 to decimal, what do you get: 0.5. This has a finite number of non-zero digits (only one non zero digit, which is '5').

Now consider fraction 1/3. When you convert 1/3 to decimal, you get 0.333333... (unending). This contains infinite number of non-zero digits.

So the question is asking whether P/Q has a finite or an infinite number of non-zero digits?
Re: Does the decimal equivalent of P/Q, where P and Q are &nbs [#permalink] 18 Jun 2018, 22:22
Display posts from previous: Sort by

# Events & Promotions

 Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne Kindly note that the GMAT® test is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council®, and this site has neither been reviewed nor endorsed by GMAC®.