Bunuel
If r and s are positive integers, each greater than 1, and if 11(s - 1) = 13(r - 1), what is the least possible value of r + s?
A. 2
B. 11
C. 22
D. 24
E. 26
GIVEN: \(11(s - 1) = 13(r - 1)\)
Expand: \(11s - 11 = 13r - 13\)
Add 13 to both sides: \(11s+2 = 13r\)
Subtract 11s from both sides: \(2 = 13r-11s\)
Subtract 2r from both sides: \(2 - 2r = 11r-11s\)
Factor both sides: \(2(1-r) = 11(r-s)\)
Since r and s are INTEGERS, we know that \((r-s)\) is an INTEGER, which means \(11(r-s)\) is a
multiple of 11From this, we can conclude that \(2(1-r)\) is a
multiple of 11What is the smallest value of r (given that r is a positive integer greater than 1) such that \(2(1-r)\) is a
multiple of 11??
If \(r = 12\), then \(2(1-r)=2(1-12)=2(-11)=-22\)
So, \(r = 12\) is the smallest value of r to meet the given conditions.
To find the corresponding value or s, take \(11(s - 1) = 13(r - 1)\) and plug in \(r = 12\) to get: \(11(s - 1) = 13(12 - 1)\)
Simplify : \(11(s - 1) = 13(11)\)
This tells us that \(s-1=13\), which means \(s=14\)
So, the LEAST possible value of \(r+s =12+14=26\)
Answer: E
Cheers,
Brent