aljatar wrote:
If p is a prime number greater than 2, what is the value of p ?
(1) There are a total of 100 prime numbers between 1 and p+1
(2) There are a total of p prime numbers between 1 and 3,912
We are given that p is a prime number greater than 2 and we need to determine the value of p.
Note that even though we are asked for the value of p, we actually need to determine whether the value of p is unique. If we can determine from the given statements that p is unique, then the statement(s) will be sufficient. We do not have to actually determine the value of p, even though it would be possible.
Statement One Alone: There are a total of 100 prime numbers between 1 and p + 1.
If there are exactly 100 prime numbers between 1 and p + 1, then there are exactly 100 prime numbers in the list: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, …, p. Whatever value p is, p must be unique. It is the 100th number in the list. Statement one alone is sufficient. We can eliminate answer choices B, C, and E.
Statement Two Alone: There are a total of p prime numbers between 1 and 3,912.
It is a fact that between two distinct positive integers, there must be a unique number of primes. For example, between 1 and 10 inclusive there are exactly 4 primes: 2, 3, 5, 7. There can’t be 3 primes or 5 primes between 1 and 10. Therefore, if there are exactly p prime numbers between 1 and 3,912, p must be unique, even if we don’t know its exact value. Statement two alone is also sufficient.
Answer: D
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