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

 It is currently 22 Oct 2019, 05:09

### 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

# If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the

Author Message
TAGS:

### Hide Tags

Manager
Joined: 20 Dec 2013
Posts: 224
Location: India
If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

Updated on: 09 Jan 2014, 01:57
3
30
00:00

Difficulty:

95% (hard)

Question Stats:

31% (02:21) correct 69% (01:58) wrong based on 336 sessions

### HideShow timer Statistics

If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, then how many values of n are possible?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 1
D. 4
E. none

Spoiler: :: My doubt & OA
I think the answer should be B(135,137,139).But the OA is A.Can anyone explain?

Originally posted by AKG1593 on 08 Jan 2014, 09:31.
Last edited by Bunuel on 09 Jan 2014, 01:57, edited 1 time in total.
Renamed the topic and edited the question.
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 58428
If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

02 Jul 2015, 10:05
2
3
PathFinder007 wrote:
AKG1593 wrote:
If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, then how many values of n are possible?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 1
D. 4
E. none

Spoiler: :: My doubt & OA
I think the answer should be B(135,137,139).But the OA is A.Can anyone explain?

Bunuel

i am not agree with option A as it is given as correct answer.

i am getting 135!, 137! and 139! for 32 trailing zeros. so i think it should be 3.

Thanks

131! has 32 trailing zeros: 131/5 + 131/25 + 131/125 = 26 + 5 + 1 = 32.
133! has 32 trailing zeros: 133/5 + 133/25 + 133/125 = 26 + 5 + 1 = 32.

But 135! has 33 trailing zeros: 135/5 + 135/25 + 135/125 = 27 + 5 + 1 = 33.
_________________
Intern
Joined: 17 Oct 2013
Posts: 40
Schools: HEC Dec"18
GMAT Date: 02-04-2014

### Show Tags

08 Jan 2014, 10:15
6
2
AKG1593 wrote:
I saw this question online:
If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, then how many values of n are possible? Note : n! means product of first n natural numbers.
a. 2
b. 3
c. 1
d. 4
e. none

Spoiler: :: My doubt & OA
I think the answer should be B(135,137,139).But the OA is A.Can anyone explain?

in n! the zeros are contributed by 2s and 5s, there will be adequate no of 2s for 5s. if we count no of 5s, we can find no of zeros.
if n! is written in the product of prime factors there should be 5^32 to get you 32 zeros
for 100!, it will be 5^24, hence counting each 5 from there
105(1),110(1),115(1),120(1),125(3),130(1) contribute 8 5s
since n is 131! and 133! will have 32 zeros
##### General Discussion
Manager
Joined: 20 Dec 2013
Posts: 224
Location: India

### Show Tags

08 Jan 2014, 19:57
Thanks for this reply.It seems I was missing 1 of the fives in 125!

Posted from my mobile device
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 58428
Re: If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

09 Jan 2014, 01:58
Manager
Joined: 10 Mar 2014
Posts: 180
Re: If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

02 Jul 2015, 09:52
AKG1593 wrote:
If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, then how many values of n are possible?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 1
D. 4
E. none

Spoiler: :: My doubt & OA
I think the answer should be B(135,137,139).But the OA is A.Can anyone explain?

Bunuel

i am not agree with option A as it is given as correct answer.

i am getting 135!, 137! and 139! for 32 trailing zeros. so i think it should be 3.

Thanks
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 58428
Re: If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

02 Jul 2015, 10:07
1
1
Bunuel wrote:
PathFinder007 wrote:
AKG1593 wrote:
If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, then how many values of n are possible?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 1
D. 4
E. none

Spoiler: :: My doubt & OA
I think the answer should be B(135,137,139).But the OA is A.Can anyone explain?

Bunuel

i am not agree with option A as it is given as correct answer.

i am getting 135!, 137! and 139! for 32 trailing zeros. so i think it should be 3.

Thanks

131! has 32 trailing zeros: 131/5 + 131/25 + 131/125 = 26 + 5 + 1 = 32.
133! has 32 trailing zeros: 133/5 + 133/25 + 133/125 = 26 + 5 + 1 = 32.

But 135! has 33 trailing zeros: 135/5 + 133/25 + 133/125 = 27 + 5 + 1 = 33.

For similiar questions check Trailing Zeros Questions and Power of a number in a factorial questions in our Special Questions Directory.

_________________
Intern
Joined: 06 Apr 2015
Posts: 30
Re: If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

03 Jul 2015, 02:12
AKG1593 wrote:
If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, then how many values of n are possible?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 1
D. 4
E. none

Spoiler: :: My doubt & OA
I think the answer should be B(135,137,139).But the OA is A.Can anyone explain?

I got the right answer but it took me close to 4 minutes to get to it.

by trial and error i plugged in first 100 and realized i was too low, then went to 125 and realized i was still too low, Finally went to 131 and hit jackpot.
I got the answer by using the below formula
(n/5) +(n/5^2) + (n/5^3) = 32

the final numbers are 131 and 133 (since they are odd Numbers only)

Is there a faster solution to this?
GMAT Tutor
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 1802
Re: If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

03 Jul 2015, 05:07
2
kelvind13 wrote:
Is there a faster solution to this?

No, I think you've done this in the fastest possible way. It's clearly not a real GMAT question, so don't worry about how long it took - if you can solve it at all, you're doing very well.

There are a few real GMAT questions which test the prime factorizations of factorials, as this question does, but in every one of them, it is practical to work out the answer in two minutes without knowing any special formula. The real GMAT questions I've seen on this topic (there are three or four in the GMATFocus product, and one in the OG) are never more complicated than this one:

What is the largest integer k for which 5^k is a divisor of 50!

To answer that question without a formula, you only need to look at the ten multiples of five inside 50!, which can be done by hand within two minutes. I've never seen a real GMAT question in this format where you'd need to look at more than ten different multiples if you were solving by hand, so the question posted above is far more complicated than any real question I've encountered.
_________________
GMAT Tutor in Toronto

If you are looking for online GMAT math tutoring, or if you are interested in buying my advanced Quant books and problem sets, please contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com
Intern
Joined: 13 Mar 2011
Posts: 21
Re: If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

24 Mar 2016, 02:43
IanStewart wrote:
kelvind13 wrote:
Is there a faster solution to this?

No, I think you've done this in the fastest possible way. It's clearly not a real GMAT question, so don't worry about how long it took - if you can solve it at all, you're doing very well.

There are a few real GMAT questions which test the prime factorizations of factorials, as this question does, but in every one of them, it is practical to work out the answer in two minutes without knowing any special formula. The real GMAT questions I've seen on this topic (there are three or four in the GMATFocus product, and one in the OG) are never more complicated than this one:

What is the largest integer k for which 5^k is a divisor of 50!

To answer that question without a formula, you only need to look at the ten multiples of five inside 50!, which can be done by hand within two minutes. I've never seen a real GMAT question in this format where you'd need to look at more than ten different multiples if you were solving by hand, so the question posted above is far more complicated than any real question I've encountered.

Right now, the GMAT timer on 2 minutes 22 second to solve this problem correctly. I doubt too, that it is possible to solve this problem at this time.
_________________
I’m not afraid of the man who knows 10,000 kicks and has practiced them once. I am afraid of the man who knows one kick & has practiced it 10,000 times! - Bruce Lee

Please, press the +1 KUDOS button , if you find this post helpful
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Posts: 8006
If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

24 Mar 2016, 04:07
1
1
leeto wrote:
IanStewart wrote:
kelvind13 wrote:
Is there a faster solution to this?

No, I think you've done this in the fastest possible way. It's clearly not a real GMAT question, so don't worry about how long it took - if you can solve it at all, you're doing very well.

There are a few real GMAT questions which test the prime factorizations of factorials, as this question does, but in every one of them, it is practical to work out the answer in two minutes without knowing any special formula. The real GMAT questions I've seen on this topic (there are three or four in the GMATFocus product, and one in the OG) are never more complicated than this one:

What is the largest integer k for which 5^k is a divisor of 50!

To answer that question without a formula, you only need to look at the ten multiples of five inside 50!, which can be done by hand within two minutes. I've never seen a real GMAT question in this format where you'd need to look at more than ten different multiples if you were solving by hand, so the question posted above is far more complicated than any real question I've encountered.

Right now, the GMAT timer on 2 minutes 22 second to solve this problem correctly. I doubt too, that it is possible to solve this problem at this time.

Hi,

just read this Q and few responses above..

I would have a point here..

We do not require to calculate anything here..
32 zeroes too is just a number which will not effect the answer..

A zero will be added when a 2 and a 5 is added...
every alternate term is even so we are worried only about a 5..

And 5 comes after every four number and two each will be odd and two even in these..
so there will be two ODD natural numbers before a 5 is added in the product and in turn an extra ZERO..

ans is 2..
_________________
GMAT Tutor
Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 1802
Re: If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

24 Mar 2016, 09:07
1
chetan2u wrote:

I would have a point here..

We do not require to calculate anything here..
32 zeroes too is just a number which will not effect the answer..

The '32' does matter here - the answer is not always '2'. You might try a few simpler questions to see why:

* For how many odd numbers n does n! have exactly 4 trailing zeros? (the answer is two, 21 and 23)

* For how many odd numbers n does n! have exactly 6 trailing zeros? (the answer is three, 25, 27, 29)

* For how many odd numbers n does n! have exactly 5 trailing zeros? (the answer is none)
_________________
GMAT Tutor in Toronto

If you are looking for online GMAT math tutoring, or if you are interested in buying my advanced Quant books and problem sets, please contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Aug 2009
Posts: 8006
Re: If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

24 Mar 2016, 09:26
1
IanStewart wrote:
chetan2u wrote:

I would have a point here..

We do not require to calculate anything here..
32 zeroes too is just a number which will not effect the answer..

The '32' does matter here - the answer is not always '2'. You might try a few simpler questions to see why:

* For how many odd numbers n does n! have exactly 4 trailing zeros? (the answer is two, 21 and 23)

* For how many odd numbers n does n! have exactly 6 trailing zeros? (the answer is three, 25, 27, 29)

* For how many odd numbers n does n! have exactly 5 trailing zeros? (the answer is none)

hi,

I took somehow after crossing over to another 0, how many n odd natural numbers will have same trailing zeroes..
1) when a five is added due to addition of a multiple of 10.. x1 and x3 are the two..
2) when a five is added due to addition of a multiple of odd number.. x7 and x9 are the two..
3) in the case of
Quote:
* For how many odd numbers n does n! have exactly 5 trailing zeros? (the answer is none)

this happens because of addition of a number which is multiple of 5^2 or 5^3 and so on..
again as I took the case that we are xg over from x number of 0s to x+1 0s..

But I think read extra in the Q..
Thanks
_________________
Senior Manager
Joined: 13 Oct 2016
Posts: 359
GPA: 3.98
Re: If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

13 Nov 2016, 09:13
2
AKG1593 wrote:
If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, then how many values of n are possible?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 1
D. 4
E. none

Spoiler: :: My doubt & OA
I think the answer should be B(135,137,139).But the OA is A.Can anyone explain?

We have geometric series:

$$\frac{n}{5} + \frac{n}{5^2} + \frac{n}{5^3} + … ≈ 32$$

$$(\frac{n}{5})/(1-\frac{1}{5}) ≈ 32$$

$$\frac{n}{4} ≈ 32$$

$$n ≈ 128$$

Nearest odd is 129, but 129! has only 31 trailing zero. In order to add additional zero we need to have additional multiple of 5 in factorial.
Hence, for 32 trailing zeros we have:

130!, 131!, 132!, 133! and 134! Starting from 135 factorial we’ll get additional multiple of 5 and additional trailing zero.

Picking up odd numbers we have – 131! and 133!

We need to remember:
Multiples of 5 add 1 traling zero,
- $$5^2$$ - 2 traling zeros
- $$5^3$$ - 3 traling zeros
- etc.
Intern
Joined: 04 Feb 2017
Posts: 41
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V34
Re: If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

22 Jul 2017, 00:32
Hi,

Dont need to go with formula.

We konw.. 32 zerores means.. 32 5's and 32 2's.. In any factorial of number, 2s is always be higher than 5's.

Now here Question is howmany odd numbers are possible...

means for any number of zeroes.. there will always 2 odd number..

starting for 1 to 5...1 and 3 are odd number.. whenever it hits 5 , we are adding one more zero to it.

Hope this logic helps.
Senior Manager
Joined: 02 Apr 2014
Posts: 468
Location: India
Schools: XLRI"20
GMAT 1: 700 Q50 V34
GPA: 3.5
If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

04 Jan 2018, 00:45
pratik1709 wrote:
Hi,

Dont need to go with formula.

We konw.. 32 zerores means.. 32 5's and 32 2's.. In any factorial of number, 2s is always be higher than 5's.

Now here Question is howmany odd numbers are possible...

means for any number of zeroes.. there will always 2 odd number..

starting for 1 to 5...1 and 3 are odd number.. whenever it hits 5 , we are adding one more zero to it.

Hope this logic helps.

Hi pratik1709,

I think above logic might not work always.

if the question had asked number of possible values of odd number n such that 33 trailing zeroes.
then there are three such possible odd numbers, 135!, 137!, 139!

it depends on which parity of n adds that extra zero(es).

say odd number n adds extra zero(es), then there are 3 possible odd number, eg n - 135(odd) adds extra zero to previous 134!, then 135!, 137! and 139! are possible odd numbers of n such that n! has 33 trailing zeroes
say even number n adds extra zero(es), then there are 2 possible odd number.e.g n = 130(even) adds extra zero to previous 129!, then 131! and 133! are only possible numbers of n such that n! has 32 trailing zeroes
Intern
Joined: 07 Oct 2013
Posts: 18
GMAT 1: 770 Q50 V47
Re: If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

05 Jan 2018, 11:31
Hello,

Is it true that the answer above has to be 2 or none? For any number of zeros, there will be 2 possible values of n, UNLESS that number is 5 taken to a power:

20! to 24! has four trailing zeros - 20/5 = 4 (so 21 and 23 would be possible answers for four zeros)
25! has six trailing zeros - 25/5 + 25/25 = 6

So no values of n! have five trailing zeros.
Intern
Joined: 27 Jul 2017
Posts: 47
Re: If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

05 Apr 2018, 08:39
bharatdivvela wrote:
AKG1593 wrote:
I saw this question online:
If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, then how many values of n are possible? Note : n! means product of first n natural numbers.
a. 2
b. 3
c. 1
d. 4
e. none

Spoiler: :: My doubt & OA
I think the answer should be B(135,137,139).But the OA is A.Can anyone explain?

in n! the zeros are contributed by 2s and 5s, there will be adequate no of 2s for 5s. if we count no of 5s, we can find no of zeros.
if n! is written in the product of prime factors there should be 5^32 to get you 32 zeros
for 100!, it will be 5^24, hence counting each 5 from there
105(1),110(1),115(1),120(1),125(3),130(1) contribute 8 5s
since n is 131! and 133! will have 32 zeros

You made the question look easy bharatdivvela, thanks for the explanantion.
_________________
Ujjwal
Sharing is Gaining!
Director
Joined: 24 Nov 2016
Posts: 626
Location: United States
Re: If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

13 Sep 2019, 04:55
AKG1593 wrote:
If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, then how many values of n are possible?

A. 2
B. 3
C. 1
D. 4
E. none

n=odd, and n!=32 zeros = sum of the quotients of $$n/5+n/5^2+n/5^m=32…(where:5^m≤n)$$;
for n!=125! sum of the quotients is $$125/5+125/25+125/125=25+5+1=31$$
for n!=130! sum of the quotients is $$130/5+130/25+130/125=26+5+1=32$$
for n!=135! sum of the quotients is $$135/5+135/25+135/125=27+5+1=33$$
possible values of n are the odds from 130≤n<135 n={131,133}=2

Re: If n is an odd natural number and n! ends with 32 zeros, the   [#permalink] 13 Sep 2019, 04:55
Display posts from previous: Sort by