Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
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Re: If x and y are positive integers, what is the remainder when
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13 Dec 2015, 21:40
Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. In DS, Variable approach is the easiest and quickest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember equal number of variables and independent equations ensures a solution.
If x and y are positive integers, what is the remainder when 10 x +y is divided by 3?
(1) x = 5
(2) y = 2
In the original condition, there are 2 variables(x,y), which should match with the number of equations. So, you need 2 equations. For 1) 1 equation, for 2) 1 equation, which is likely to make C the answer. In 1) & 2), it becomes 10^5+2=100,002. Also, the remainder after divided by 3 is same as the remainder after the sum of all digits divided by 3. That is, 1+0+0+0+0+2=3 can be divided by 3 and therefore it is yes, which is sufficient. So the answer is C. This is an integer question which is one of the key questions. When applying 4(A) of the mistake type,
1) x=5 but y=2- > yes, y=3 -> no, which is not sufficient.
2) y=2 -> 10^x+2=12,102,1002,10002......... When it comes to number like these, the sum of all digits are 3 and also can be divided by 3 and it is yes, which is sufficient. Therefore, both B and C can be the answer. When both B and C can be the answer, the answer is B.
This type of question is given in Math Revolution lectures and you need to get this type of question right to reach the score range 50-51.
-> For cases where we need 2 more equations, such as original conditions with “2 variables”, or “3 variables and 1 equation”, or “4 variables and 2 equations”, we have 1 equation each in both 1) and 2). Therefore, there is 70% chance that C is the answer, while E has 25% chance. These two are the majority. In case of common mistake type 3,4, the answer may be from A, B or D but there is only 5% chance. Since C is most likely to be the answer using 1) and 2) separately according to DS definition (It saves us time). Obviously there may be cases where the answer is A, B, D or E.