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If p is a positive integer, what is the remainder when \(p^2 – 1\) is divided by 8?

    (1) p is completely divisible by 3
    (2) p leaves a remainder when divided by 2.

Question stem analysis :-

is (p+1)(p-1) is divisible by 8?

if p = odd => (Odd+1)(Odd-1) = Even*Even = Even

Minimum value of p as odd = 1 => (p+1)(p-1) = 0 => divisible by 8
Next values of p as odd = 3 => (3+1)(3-1) = 4*2 => divisible by 8

if p = even => (Even+1)(Even-1) = Odd*Odd = Odd => Never divisible by 8

Question :- is p odd or even?

i) p = 3m => p = 3 => \((p^2-1)\) divisible by 8; p=12 => \((p^2-1)\) - Not divisible by 8 - Insufficient

ii) p leaves a remainder when divided by 2 => Remainder = 1 (As remainder can be only 0 or 1) => p is odd - Sufficient per the question stem analysis

Answer - B
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I am happy to see that all of you marked the answer correctly. Good job!

I hope you were able to internalize the first skill that we discussed in the Prepathon. Here's the detailed solution to the first question. Even if you got the question right make sure that you check out the method in the solution to ensure that you have solved it using the right method. All the best!


Feel free to post any doubts that you may have in the forum below. We will be happy to help you with your queries :)
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Hi sauravleo123, preetamsaha, shameekv1989 - You have marked the correct answers. Great job! We have also awarded you some points for the explanations that you provided in the comments. You can view your points on the Leaderboard section of the Megathread of the Prepathon.

You stand a good chance of winning prizes worth up to $250 by participating in the Prepathon. Let us know if you would like to be tagged in the posts related to the Prepathon, we will be happy to tag you in these posts :)
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GMATWhizTeam thanks for tagging me. btw the page is not opening.
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GMATWhizTeam thanks for tagging me. btw the page is not opening.
preetamsaha It's our pleasure. We will tag you in the other posts of the Prepathon. The link seems to be working for me. Try using this one. If this one also doesn't work you can find the Megathread of the Prepathon on the "GMAT Quantitative" main forum itself. Hope it helps :)
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I am happy to see that all of you marked the answer correctly. Good job!

I hope you were able to internalize the first skill that we discussed in the Prepathon. Here's the detailed solution to the first question. Even if you got the question right make sure that you check out the method in the solution to ensure that you have solved it using the right method. All the best!


Feel free to post any doubts that you may have in the forum below. We will be happy to help you with your queries :)

Excellent video. Thanks a lot for your help
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If p is a positive integer, what is the remainder when \(p^2 – 1\) is divided by 8?

    (1) p is completely divisible by 3
    (2) p leaves a remainder when divided by 2.

GMATWhiz Quant Prepathon Lesson 1 Question 2

Share your answers with explanations to participate in the Prepathon and win exciting prizes! Access the 1st lesson of the Prepathon using this link.

If you want to access the other posts of the Prepathon and participate in it, bookmark the Megathread of the Prepathon. Stay tuned and Enjoy learning!

If we have p as 1, then based on second statement, the p^2-1 will become 0 and leave a remainder of 8. Help?
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