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For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k
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12 Dec 2012, 03:59
14
72
00:00
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25% (medium)
Question Stats:
75% (01:44) correct 25% (02:00) wrong based on 2616 sessions
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For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k is a divisor of b, but a^(k + 1) is not a divisor of b. If k is a positive integer and 2^k||72, then k is equal to
Re: For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k
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12 Dec 2012, 04:02
8
11
Walkabout wrote:
For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k is a divisor of b, but a^(k + 1) is not a divisor of b. If k is a positive integer and 2^k||72, then k is equal to
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 8 (E) 18
\(72=2^3*3^2\), so we have that 2^3 is a divisor of 72 and 2^4 is not. Thus 2^3||72, hence k=3.
Re: For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k
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14 Dec 2012, 23:44
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3
Initially looking to the problem one may try to plugin the numbers one by one. Here, 2^2=4 is a divisor of 72 and 2^3=8 is also a divisor of 72. But, we have to choose only one answer. 72=2x2x2x3x3=2^3 *3^2 and it is given that 72/2^k = integer. Here, we can equate 2^3=2^k and hence k=3. But, in fact 2^2 is also a divisor of 72 hence 2 could also be the answer. But, since it is additionally given that k+1 is not a divisor i.e. 2 in this case does not satisfy the condition because 2+1=3 and 2^3 is a divisior of 72. where as 3 satisfies the condition i.e. 3+1= 4 turning into 2^4 which is not a divisor of 72. This is how only one answer choice is left which is equal to 3 = answer choice B.
Re: For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k
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11 Sep 2014, 11:29
2
Walkabout wrote:
For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k is a divisor of b, but a^(k + 1) is not a divisor of b. If k is a positive integer and 2^k||72, then k is equal to
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 8 (E) 18
72 = 2*2*2*3*3
72/ 2^k = int ; 72/2^k+1 not integer
if k= 2 then divisible ,k=3 then also .. if K=3 then divisible , k=4 then not..
Re: For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k
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28 Aug 2015, 21:28
Bunuel wrote:
Walkabout wrote:
For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k is a divisor of b, but a^(k + 1) is not a divisor of b. If k is a positive integer and 2^k||72, then k is equal to
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 8 (E) 18
\(72=2^3*3^2\), so we have that 2^3 is a divisor of 72 and 2^4 is not. Thus 2^3||72, hence k=3.
Answer: B.
Why is the answer not A? if k= 2 it is still a divisor of 72
_________________
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Re: For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k
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29 Aug 2015, 02:16
1
1
harishbiyani8888 wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
Walkabout wrote:
For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k is a divisor of b, but a^(k + 1) is not a divisor of b. If k is a positive integer and 2^k||72, then k is equal to
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 8 (E) 18
\(72=2^3*3^2\), so we have that 2^3 is a divisor of 72 and 2^4 is not. Thus 2^3||72, hence k=3.
Answer: B.
Why is the answer not A? if k= 2 it is still a divisor of 72
We need such k that 2^k IS a divisor of 72 but 2^(k+1) is NOT. k cannot be 2 because 2^(2+1) IS a divisor of 72.
_________________
Re: For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k
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18 May 2016, 12:30
2
1
Walkabout wrote:
For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k is a divisor of b, but a^(k + 1) is not a divisor of b. If k is a positive integer and 2^k||72, then k is equal to
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 8 (E) 18
Solution:
This is called a "defined function" problem. The parallel lines mean intrinsically nothing, except to establish a relationship between a^k and b.We are given that a^k || b means:
1) b/a^k = integer
2) b/a^(k+1) ≠ integer
Next we are given specific numbers 2^k || 72, and we must use the pattern to determine k, using a = 2 and b = 72; thus, we know:
72/2^k = integer AND 72/2^(k+1) ≠ integer
In order for 72/2^k = integer AND 72/2^(k+1) ≠ integer to be true, k must equal 3. If have trouble seeing how this works, we can plug 3 back in to prove it.
When k = 3, we know:
1) 72/2^3 = 72/8 = 9, which IS an integer.
AND
2) 72/2^(3+1) = 72/2^4 = 72/16 = 4 1/2, which is NOT an integer.
Re: For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k
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06 Jun 2016, 08:42
Walkabout wrote:
For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k is a divisor of b, but a^(k + 1) is not a divisor of b. If k is a positive integer and 2^k||72, then k is equal to
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 8 (E) 18
2^k ||72 means 2^k is a divisor of 72, but 2^(k+1) is not a divisor of 72
72 = 2^3*3^2
The maximum powers of 2 in 72 = 3 Hence 2^3 is a divisor of 72 and 2^4 is not a divisor of 72 k = 3
Re: For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k
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28 Apr 2019, 05:57
Can someone please explain what || means? It looks like absolute value, but I though absolute value only applied when you actually put something in between the bars?
Re: For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k
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10 May 2019, 12:23
Walkabout wrote:
For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k is a divisor of b, but a^(k + 1) is not a divisor of b. If k is a positive integer and 2^k||72, then k is equal to
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 8 (E) 18
From answer choice, If k=3 72 is divisible by 2^3=8 When, 2^k+1=2^4=16 then 72/16 is not divisible.
Re: For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k
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10 May 2019, 12:28
harishbiyani8888 wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
Walkabout wrote:
For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k is a divisor of b, but a^(k + 1) is not a divisor of b. If k is a positive integer and 2^k||72, then k is equal to
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 8 (E) 18
\(72=2^3*3^2\), so we have that 2^3 is a divisor of 72 and 2^4 is not. Thus 2^3||72, hence k=3.
Answer: B.
Why is the answer not A? if k= 2 it is still a divisor of 72
Because we have another condition that 2^k+1 is not a divisor of 72. So, if we consider option A then, it'll be 2^2+1=8 by which 72 is possible to divide.
So option A is ignored ☺
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gmatclubot
Re: For the positive integers a, b, and k, a^k||b means that a^k
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10 May 2019, 12:28
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75% (01:44) correct 
