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Good question. I thought the question was incorrect, because I didn't see any way how 15^k could be a divisor of 759,325.
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759325 is divisible by 5 & 25 but not by 3; so 759325 to be divisible by 15^k; it should be divisible by 3 as well, but its not. so k=0
put this value to 3^k-k^3=3^0-0^k=1-0=1

Hence answer is B

Thanks,
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Bunuel
If k is a non-negative integer and 15^k is a divisor of 759,325 then 3^k - k^3 =

A. 0
B. 1
C. 37
D. 118
E. 513


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MAGOOSH OFFICIAL SOLUTION:
Attachment:
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759325 = 5*5*30373

that means for 759325 to be a multiple of 15^k, then

(5*5*30373)/(3^k*5^k) has to be an integer.

That means k can be maximum 2(As we have 5^2 in numerator).... So try k=0,1,and 2 in 3^k-k^3... The only option that matches is 1. B answer.


Is this method correct or just a fluke???I'm not too sure...
Requesting some help.
Thanks :)
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Bunuel
If k is a non-negative integer and 15^k is a divisor of 759,325 then 3^k - k^3 =

A. 0
B. 1
C. 37
D. 118
E. 513


Kudos for a correct solution.


This is a PS question so everything that divides the number 759325 will hold true for give equation.

As we know 1 divides any number. Thus 15^0=1 therefore k=0

3^k-k^3
=3^0-0^3
=1-0 =1
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7+5+9+3+2+5=31=4
So 759,325 is not divisble by 15.
Now
k=0

3^k - k^3 =1-0=1

Ans-> B
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Hello there,
I have just been in front on this question and I am still stuck in since I do not understand the question's pattern. I'll probably ask a stupid question, but when we put 15ˆ5 we get 759,375. Here we go it's the same number of the question issue!!! Wait a second, why everyone claims that this number is not dividing by 15 while the question ask for 15ˆk what is totally possible since 759,375 / 15ˆ5= 1 and above all the question state that this number is a divisor of 759,375. And if k= 5 then 3ˆ5 - 5ˆ3= 118, answer D. Probably my understanding of the word divisor is wrong, but I really don't the nuance with other questions of this type.

I'm eager to obtain a clear explanation, thanks in advance :)
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Iwen
If k is a non-negative integer and 15^k is a divisor of 759,325 then 3^k - k^3 =

A. 0
B. 1
C. 37
D. 118
E. 513

Hello there,
I have just been in front on this question and I am still stuck in since I do not understand the question's pattern. I'll probably ask a stupid question, but when we put 15ˆ5 we get 759,375. Here we go it's the same number of the question issue!!! Wait a second, why everyone claims that this number is not dividing by 15 while the question ask for 15ˆk what is totally possible since 759,375 / 15ˆ5= 1 and above all the question state that this number is a divisor of 759,375. And if k= 5 then 3ˆ5 - 5ˆ3= 118, answer D. Probably my understanding of the word divisor is wrong, but I really don't the nuance with other questions of this type.

I'm eager to obtain a clear explanation, thanks in advance :)

15^5 = 759,375, but the number in the question is 759,325—these are two different numbers!

The sum of the digits of 759,325 is not a multiple of 3, which means 759,325 is not divisible by 3. Therefore, it cannot be divisible by 15 either, since 15 is a multiple of both 3 and 5.

Since k is a non-negative integer, 15^k must be a multiple of 15. As a result, 759,325 is not divisible by any multiple of 15. The only scenario where 15^k is a divisor of 759,325 is when k = 0, because 15^0 = 1, and any number is divisible by 1.

Thus, 3^k - k^3 = 3^0 - 0^3 = 1.

Answer: B.
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