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# Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?

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Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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19 Jun 2010, 02:49
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Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1<p<k?

(1) k > 4!

(2) $$13! + 2 \leq k \leq 13!+13$$
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Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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19 Jun 2010, 03:51
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Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1<p<k?

Question basically asks whether $$k$$ is a prime number. If it is, then it won't have a factor $$p$$ such that $$1<p<k$$ (definition of a prime number).

(1) $$k>4!$$ --> $$k$$ is more than some number ($$4!=24$$). $$k$$ may or may not be a prime. Not sufficient.

(2) $$13!+2\leq{k}\leq{13!+13}$$ --> $$k$$ can not be a prime. For instance if $$k=13!+8=8*(2*3*4*5*6*7*9*10*11*12*13+1)$$, then $$k$$ is a multiple of 8, so not a prime. Same for all other numbers in this range. So, $$k=13!+x$$, where $$2\leq{x}\leq{13}$$ will definitely be a multiple of $$x$$ (as we would be able to factor out $$x$$ out of $$13!+x$$, the same way as we did for 8). Sufficient.

Check similar question: http://gmatclub.com/forum/factor-factorials-100670.html

Hope it's clear.
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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14 Feb 2012, 15:15
11
5
M3tm4n wrote:
Hi bunuel
I don't understand the definition of a prime ( 1<p<k ). I know what a prime is but this drives me nuts.
For an example I take 10 for k. I have factors 2x5 that are greater than 1 and smaller than 10.

Or is it asking for one factor? I see "a factor" in the question, which is singular. Then I understand this. It is really tricky.

Posted from GMAT ToolKit

Question asks whether some number k has a factor p which is more than 1 but less than k. For example if k=10 then the answer is yes, since both 2 and 5 are factors of 10 and are more than 1 and less than 10. But if for example k=7=prime then the answer is no, since 7 has no factor which is more than 1 and less than 7.

Now, look at the definition of a prime number: a prime number is a positive integer with exactly two factors: 1 and itself. So, we can say that the questions asks whether k is a prime number, because if it is then it won't have a factor which is more than 1 and less than k.

Hope it's clear.
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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10 Feb 2011, 17:19
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2
ChenggongMAS wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1<p<k?

Question basically asks whether $$k$$ is a prime number. If it is, then it won't have a factor $$p$$ such that $$1<p<k$$ (definition of a prime number).

(1) $$k>4!$$ --> $$k$$ is more than some number ($$4!=24$$). $$k$$ may or may not be a prime. Not sufficient.

(2) $$13!+2\leq{k}\leq{13!+13}$$ --> $$k$$ can not be a prime. For instance if $$k=13!+8=8*(2*4*5*6*7*9*10*11*12*13+1)$$, then $$k$$ is a multiple of 8, so not a prime. Same for all other numbers in this range. So, $$k=13!+x$$, where $$2\leq{x}\leq{13}$$ will definitely be a multiple of $$x$$ (as we would be able to factor out $$x$$ out of $$13!+x$$). Sufficient.

Check similar question: factor-factorials-100670.html

Hope it's clear.

Sorry for the question, but I am just not understanding how you get 8*(2*4*5*6*7*9*10*11*12*13+1) from 13!+8 then how do you know that k is a multiple of 8...I obviously have some deficiencies when it comes to number properties. So then how is k never a prime between those parameters?
I would think (1*2*3*4*5*6*7*8*9*10*11*12*13) +8 ...

k=13!+8 means k=2*3*4*5*6*7*8*9*10*11*12*13+8, now factor out 8: k=8*(2*4*5*6*7*9*10*11*12*13+1) --> k is a multiple of 8 as k=8*something --> as k is a multiple of 8 it can not be a prime number. You can have any number from 2 to 13 inclusive instead of 8, and you'll be able to factor out this number the same way as you did with 8, so any number of a type 13!+x, wher x is from 2 to 13 inclusive will be a multiple of x, thus not a prime number.

Check the link in my first post for similar problem. Also check Number Theory chapter of Math Book: math-number-theory-88376.html

Hope it's clear.
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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03 Nov 2010, 14:51
3
1
metallicafan wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1<p<k?

Question basically asks is $$k$$ a prime number. If it is, then it won't have a factor $$p$$ such that $$1<p<k$$ (definition of a prime number).

(1) $$k>4!$$ --> $$k$$ is more than some number ($$4!=24$$). $$k$$ may or may not be a prime. Not sufficient.

(2) $$13!+2\leq{k}\leq{13!+13}$$ --> $$k$$ can not be a prime. For instance if $$k=13!+8=8*(2*4*5*6*7*9*10*11*12*13+1)$$, then $$k$$ is a multiple of 8, so not a prime. Same for all other numbers in this range. So, $$k=13!+x$$, where $$2\leq{x}\leq{13}$$ will definitely be a multiple of $$x$$ (as we would be able to factor out $$x$$ out of $$13!+x$$). Sufficient.

Check similar question: factor-factorials-100670.html

Hope it's clear.

Thanks Bunuel. I have a question, what would happen if the second statement said this?

(2) $$13!+1\leq{k}\leq{13!+13}$$

I have seen some similar problems, in which they add 1. Could you post some links about it?

Thanks!

So basically we should determine whether $$13!+1$$ is a prime number (as shown above all other possible values of k are not are not prime), which cannot be done without a computer. There are some particular values of $$k=n!+1$$ for which we can say whether it's a prime or not with help of Wilson's theorem, but again it's out of the scope of GMAT.

By the way: $$13!+1$$ is not a prime number, it has two distinct prime factors: $$13!+1=83*75,024,347=6,227,020,801$$, so the answer still will be B.
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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04 Oct 2015, 17:30
3
1
gmatcracker2010 wrote:
i dont have any idea to solve the attached problem. Please provide methodology to solve such problems.

Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1<p<k?

(1) k > 4!
(2) 13! + 2<= k <= 13!+13

Target question: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?

This question is a great candidate for rephrasing the target question. (We have a free video with tips on rephrasing the target question: http://www.gmatprepnow.com/module/gmat-data-sufficiency?id=1100)

Let's look at a few cases to get a better idea of what the target question is asking.
- Try k = 6. Since 2 is a factor of 6, we can see that k DOES have a factor p such that 1<p<k.
- Try k = 10 Since 5 is a factor of 10, we can see that k DOES have a factor p such that 1<p<k.
- Try k = 16. Since 4 is a factor of 14, we can see that k DOES have a factor p such that 1<p<k.
- Try k = 5. Since 1 and 5 are the ONLY factors of 5, we can see that k does NOT have a factor p such that 1<p<k.
Aha, so if k is a prime number, then it CANNOT satisfy the condition of having a factor p such that 1 < p < k
In other words, the target question is really asking us whether k is a non-prime integer (aka a "composite integer")

REPHRASED target question: Is integer k a non-prime integer?

Statement 1: k > 4!
In other words, k > 24
This does not help us determine whether or not k is a non-prime integer? No.
Consider these two conflicting cases:
Case a: k = 25, in which case k is a non-prime integer
Case b: k = 29, in which case k is a prime integer
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: 13! + 2 ≤ k ≤ 13! + 13
Let's examine a few possible values for k.

k = 13! + 2
= (13)(12)(11)....(5)(4)(3)(2)(1) + 2
= 2[(13)(12)(11)....(5)(4)(3)(1) + 1]
Since k is a multiple of 2, k is a non-prime integer

k = 13! + 3
= (13)(12)(11)....(5)(4)(3)(2)(1) + 3
= 3[(13)(12)(11)....(5)(4)(2)(1) + 1]
Since k is a multiple of 3, k is a non-prime integer

k = 13! + 4
= (13)(12)(11)....(5)(4)(3)(2)(1) + 4
= 4[(13)(12)(11)....(5)(3)(2)(1) + 1]
Since k is a multiple of 4, k is a non-prime integer

As you can see, this pattern can be repeated all the way up to k = 13! + 13. In EVERY case, k is a non-prime integer

Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is SUFFICIENT

Cheers,
Brent
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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29 May 2013, 22:17
2
crazypriya wrote:
Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1<p<k?
1.k>4!
2.13!+2<=k<=13!+13

OA B

Essentially this is about prime and non-prime.
Option 1: k>4!
Now assume k=5. then is there any factor of 5 which lies between 1 and 5? NO.
Take k=6. then there is 2,3 which lies between 1 and 6.
So 1 alone insufficient.

Option 2: 13!+2<=k<=13!+13
Take say 13!+3. now it can be rewritten as 3*{(13.12.11.....4.2.1)+1}
So there is 3 as factor between 1 and k. Similarly you can take the common factor out of all nos. in option 2.
Therefore option 2 is sufficient!
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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12 Nov 2017, 08:28
2
rudjlive wrote:
Hi Bunuel,

I have the same question as oryahalom.

Cant we subtract 13! from both sides of the inequality?

Thanks,
RD

Are there only two parts in $$13! + 2 \leq k \leq 13!+13$$? No, there are three. If you subtract 13! you should subtract from all three parts and you'll end up with $$2 \leq k -13! \leq 13$$, which gives you nothing.
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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14 Feb 2012, 13:27
1
Hi bunuel
I don't understand the definition of a prime ( 1<p<k ). I know what a prime is but this drives me nuts.
For an example I take 10 for k. I have factors 2x5 that are greater than 1 and smaller than 10.

Or is it asking for one factor? I see "a factor" in the question, which is singular. Then I understand this. It is really tricky.

Posted from GMAT ToolKit
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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18 Nov 2012, 04:01
1
1
mneeti wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1<p<k?

Question basically asks whether $$k$$ is a prime number. If it is, then it won't have a factor $$p$$ such that $$1<p<k$$ (definition of a prime number).

(1) $$k>4!$$ --> $$k$$ is more than some number ($$4!=24$$). $$k$$ may or may not be a prime. Not sufficient.

(2) $$13!+2\leq{k}\leq{13!+13}$$ --> $$k$$ can not be a prime. For instance if $$k=13!+8=8*(2*4*5*6*7*9*10*11*12*13+1)$$, then $$k$$ is a multiple of 8, so not a prime. Same for all other numbers in this range. So, $$k=13!+x$$, where $$2\leq{x}\leq{13}$$ will definitely be a multiple of $$x$$ (as we would be able to factor out $$x$$ out of $$13!+x$$, the same way as we did for 8). Sufficient.

Check similar question: if-x-is-an-integer-does-x-have-a-factor-n-such-that-100670.html

Hope it's clear.

Hi Bunuel, I have a small query here- Had the question been : 4!+2<k<4!+6, if I follow the approach explained above I may conclude that k is not a prime no. reason being all the factors of 4! are the factors of 4!+?. Since its easy to calculate here the values between 4!+2 and 4!+6, I already know that it includes 29 which is a prime no., where as in case of 13!+2<k<13!+13, it is not easy to calculate 13!, we may be missing some value which is a prime no. How do we make sure that we are not missing anything? (Assuming we can not cross check by calculating the values because of the time constraint at the exam time)

If $$13!+2\leq{k}\leq{13!+13}$$, then we can factor out $$x$$ out of $$13!+x$$ (where $$2\leq{x}\leq{13}$$), which means that k is not a prime.

But you cannot apply the same logic with 4!+2<k<4!+6, since if k=4!+5, then you cannot factor out 5 out of it.
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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09 Jul 2017, 06:08
1
Bunuel - i have subtracted 13! from each side of the inequality and got that k is equal or between 0 to 11. From this inequality i can't got the answer. Where am i wrong? By the way - i looked at the math book for inequality theory but haven't find something relevant. Is there any post that covers this topic?

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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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19 Aug 2019, 00:45
1
a12bansal wrote:
Hi Bunuel,

If we go with 2nd option then we can have multiple factors

For ex: If we take k=13!+4 then apart from 4, it will have others factors also .

So we will be getting more than one values of P.

So is it correct to mark B as sufficient answer.

Thanks

This is not a value question. The question is NOT what is the value of p.

It's an YES/NO question: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1<p<k? And from (2) we get a definite YES answer to that question.

Hope it's clear.
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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07 May 2020, 06:35
1
anindhya25 wrote:
Bunuel - would it be correct to say that all factorials are composite numbers?

Yes, but except 0! = 1, 1! = 1, and 2! = 2.
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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03 Nov 2010, 14:20
2
Bunuel wrote:
Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1<p<k?

Question basically asks is $$k$$ a prime number. If it is, then it won't have a factor $$p$$ such that $$1<p<k$$ (definition of a prime number).

(1) $$k>4!$$ --> $$k$$ is more than some number ($$4!=24$$). $$k$$ may or may not be a prime. Not sufficient.

(2) $$13!+2\leq{k}\leq{13!+13}$$ --> $$k$$ can not be a prime. For instance if $$k=13!+8=8*(2*4*5*6*7*9*10*11*12*13+1)$$, then $$k$$ is a multiple of 8, so not a prime. Same for all other numbers in this range. So, $$k=13!+x$$, where $$2\leq{x}\leq{13}$$ will definitely be a multiple of $$x$$ (as we would be able to factor out $$x$$ out of $$13!+x$$). Sufficient.

Check similar question: factor-factorials-100670.html

Hope it's clear.

Thanks Bunuel. I have a question, what would happen if the second statement said this?

(2) $$13!+1\leq{k}\leq{13!+13}$$

I have seen some similar problems, in which they add 1. Could you post some links about it?

Thanks!
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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10 Feb 2011, 17:04
Bunuel wrote:
Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1<p<k?

Question basically asks whether $$k$$ is a prime number. If it is, then it won't have a factor $$p$$ such that $$1<p<k$$ (definition of a prime number).

(1) $$k>4!$$ --> $$k$$ is more than some number ($$4!=24$$). $$k$$ may or may not be a prime. Not sufficient.

(2) $$13!+2\leq{k}\leq{13!+13}$$ --> $$k$$ can not be a prime. For instance if $$k=13!+8=8*(2*4*5*6*7*9*10*11*12*13+1)$$, then $$k$$ is a multiple of 8, so not a prime. Same for all other numbers in this range. So, $$k=13!+x$$, where $$2\leq{x}\leq{13}$$ will definitely be a multiple of $$x$$ (as we would be able to factor out $$x$$ out of $$13!+x$$). Sufficient.

Check similar question: factor-factorials-100670.html

Hope it's clear.

Sorry for the question, but I am just not understanding how you get 8*(2*4*5*6*7*9*10*11*12*13+1) from 13!+8 then how do you know that k is a multiple of 8...I obviously have some deficiencies when it comes to number properties. So then how is k never a prime between those parameters?
I would think (1*2*3*4*5*6*7*8*9*10*11*12*13) +8 ...
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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18 Nov 2012, 02:18
Bunuel wrote:
Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1<p<k?

Question basically asks whether $$k$$ is a prime number. If it is, then it won't have a factor $$p$$ such that $$1<p<k$$ (definition of a prime number).

(1) $$k>4!$$ --> $$k$$ is more than some number ($$4!=24$$). $$k$$ may or may not be a prime. Not sufficient.

(2) $$13!+2\leq{k}\leq{13!+13}$$ --> $$k$$ can not be a prime. For instance if $$k=13!+8=8*(2*4*5*6*7*9*10*11*12*13+1)$$, then $$k$$ is a multiple of 8, so not a prime. Same for all other numbers in this range. So, $$k=13!+x$$, where $$2\leq{x}\leq{13}$$ will definitely be a multiple of $$x$$ (as we would be able to factor out $$x$$ out of $$13!+x$$, the same way as we did for 8). Sufficient.

Check similar question: if-x-is-an-integer-does-x-have-a-factor-n-such-that-100670.html

Hope it's clear.

Hi Bunuel, I have a small query here- Had the question been : 4!+2<k<4!+6, if I follow the approach explained above I may conclude that k is not a prime no. reason being all the factors of 4! are the factors of 4!+?. Since its easy to calculate here the values between 4!+2 and 4!+6, I already know that it includes 29 which is a prime no., where as in case of 13!+2<k<13!+13, it is not easy to calculate 13!, we may be missing some value which is a prime no. How do we make sure that we are not missing anything? (Assuming we can not cross check by calculating the values because of the time constraint at the exam time)
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13 Apr 2014, 06:01
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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28 Mar 2016, 17:21
Here is a visual that should help.
Attachments

Screen Shot 2016-03-28 at 6.20.15 PM.png [ 133.71 KiB | Viewed 19953 times ]

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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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04 Dec 2016, 20:07
"Question basically asks whether k is a prime number. If it is, then it won't have a factor psuch that 1<p<k

(definition of a prime number)."

Hi,

I just don't understand this. Can you please explain?
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?  [#permalink]

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05 Dec 2016, 00:16
ruchitd wrote:
"Question basically asks whether k is a prime number. If it is, then it won't have a factor psuch that 1<p<k

(definition of a prime number)."

Hi,

I just don't understand this. Can you please explain?

A prime number is a positive integer with only two factors 1 and itself. So, a prime number does not have a factor which is more that 1 and less than itself.
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Re: Does the integer k have a factor p such that 1 < p < k ?   [#permalink] 05 Dec 2016, 00:16

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