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# Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch

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Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch  [#permalink]

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03 Sep 2012, 01:16
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Difficulty:

95% (hard)

Question Stats:

47% (01:58) correct 53% (01:44) wrong based on 355 sessions

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Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch long, inside a rectangular box, each side of which is longer than 1 inch, such that the box is completely filled with no gaps and no cubes left over. What is N?

(1) 56 < N < 63
(2) N is a multiple of 3.

In the explanation of this problem I can't figure out why " To be able to put N cubes into a rectangular box with no gaps and no left-over cubes, you must have the following equality: N = length × width × height. Moreover, if the length, width, and height are all greater than 1, then it must be true that N is the product of at least 3 primes. If N is itself prime or the product of just 2 primes (unique or not), then the condition fails.

So you can rephrase the question this way: is N the product of at least 3 primes?
"

Can you help me ?? the key of this problem is just this process of thought.......

Thanks

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Re: Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch  [#permalink]

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03 Sep 2012, 01:44
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6
Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch long, inside a rectangular box, each side of which is longer than 1 inch, such that the box is completely filled with no gaps and no cubes left over. What is N?

Notice that, since the volume of each cube is 1 inch^3, then the volume of N cubes (the volume of the rectangular box) is N inch^3. For example if there are 10 cubes, then the volume of the rectangular box (total volume of 10 cubes) is 10 inch^3. Next, we are told that the length, the width and the height of the rectangular box is longer than 1 inch and there are no gaps when all cubes are put in the box, so the length, the width and the height of the rectangular box are integers more than one: 2, 3, 4, ... Thus each dimension of the rectangular box must have at least one prime in it, so the volume (length*width*height) must be the product of at least 3 primes (not necessarily distinct primes).

(1) 56 < N < 63. N could be 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62. Analyze each case:

57=3*19 --> just two primes. Discard.
58=2*29 --> just two primes. Discard.
60=2^2*3*5 --> the product of 4 primes. OK. For example, the the length, the width and the height of the cube cold be 2, by 6, by 5.
62=2*31 --> just two primes. Discard.

As we can see, N can only be 60. Sufficient.

(2) N is a multiple of 3. Multiple values of N are possible so that it to be a multiple of 3 AND the product of at least 3 primes, for example 27 or 60. Not sufficient.

Hope it's clear.
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Re: Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch  [#permalink]

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03 Sep 2012, 02:03
First of all thanks for editing my question in an appropiate manner.

Secondly is clear. I should infer a lot on this question. I always have the doubt that these kind of questions are too convoluted for the exam.

Anyway, thanks
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Re: Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch  [#permalink]

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03 Sep 2012, 03:10
great solution buenel..!!!

I didt consider while solving that Rectangular box must have integer value for its L,B &H.

I went unnecessarily on jumping to fractional values..!!

Poor of me...
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Re: Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch  [#permalink]

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06 Sep 2012, 07:47
Bunuel wrote:
Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch long, inside a rectangular box, each side of which is longer than 1 inch, such that the box is completely filled with no gaps and no cubes left over. What is N?

Notice that, since the volume of each cube is 1 inch^3, then the volume of N cubes (the volume of the rectangular box) is N inch^3. For example if there are 10 cubes, then the volume of the rectangular box (total volume of 10 cubes) is 10 inch^3. Next, we are told that the length, the width and the height of the rectangular box is longer than 1 inch and there are no gaps when all cubes are put in the box, so the length, the width and the height of the rectangular box are integers more than one: 2, 3, 4, ... Thus each dimension of the rectangular box must have at least one prime in it, so the volume (length*width*height) must be the product of at least 3 primes (not necessarily distinct primes).

(1) 56 < N < 63. N could be 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62. Analyze each case:

57=3*19 --> just two primes. Discard.
58=2*29 --> just two primes. Discard.
60=2^2*3*5 --> the product of 4 primes. OK. For example, the the length, the width and the height of the cube cold be 2, by 6, by 5.
62=2*31 --> just two primes. Discard.

As we can see, N can only be 60. Sufficient.

(2) N is a multiple of 3. Multiple values of N are possible so that it to be a multiple of 3 AND the product of at least 3 primes, for example 27 or 60. Not sufficient.

Hope it's clear.

Hi Bunnel,

The question says "each side of which is longer than 1 inch" so the lengths of each sides can even be "2, 2, 2, or 3,3,3" may i know why you took the lenghts as "2,3,4"

Regards
Srinath
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Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 50627
Re: Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch  [#permalink]

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06 Sep 2012, 09:06
1
1
kotela wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch long, inside a rectangular box, each side of which is longer than 1 inch, such that the box is completely filled with no gaps and no cubes left over. What is N?

Notice that, since the volume of each cube is 1 inch^3, then the volume of N cubes (the volume of the rectangular box) is N inch^3. For example if there are 10 cubes, then the volume of the rectangular box (total volume of 10 cubes) is 10 inch^3. Next, we are told that the length, the width and the height of the rectangular box is longer than 1 inch and there are no gaps when all cubes are put in the box, so the length, the width and the height of the rectangular box are integers more than one: 2, 3, 4, ... Thus each dimension of the rectangular box must have at least one prime in it, so the volume (length*width*height) must be the product of at least 3 primes (not necessarily distinct primes).

(1) 56 < N < 63. N could be 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62. Analyze each case:

57=3*19 --> just two primes. Discard.
58=2*29 --> just two primes. Discard.
60=2^2*3*5 --> the product of 4 primes. OK. For example, the the length, the width and the height of the cube cold be 2, by 6, by 5.
62=2*31 --> just two primes. Discard.

As we can see, N can only be 60. Sufficient.

(2) N is a multiple of 3. Multiple values of N are possible so that it to be a multiple of 3 AND the product of at least 3 primes, for example 27 or 60. Not sufficient.

Hope it's clear.

Hi Bunnel,

The question says "each side of which is longer than 1 inch" so the lengths of each sides can even be "2, 2, 2, or 3,3,3" may i know why you took the lenghts as "2,3,4"

Regards
Srinath

I said that "the length, the width and the height of the rectangular box are integers more than one: 2, 3, 4, ... " So, yes, each dimension can be 2 or 3, for example .
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Re: Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch  [#permalink]

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06 Sep 2012, 17:37
Bunuel wrote:
kotela wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch long, inside a rectangular box, each side of which is longer than 1 inch, such that the box is completely filled with no gaps and no cubes left over. What is N?

Notice that, since the volume of each cube is 1 inch^3, then the volume of N cubes (the volume of the rectangular box) is N inch^3. For example if there are 10 cubes, then the volume of the rectangular box (total volume of 10 cubes) is 10 inch^3. Next, we are told that the length, the width and the height of the rectangular box is longer than 1 inch and there are no gaps when all cubes are put in the box, so the length, the width and the height of the rectangular box are integers more than one: 2, 3, 4, ... Thus each dimension of the rectangular box must have at least one prime in it, so the volume (length*width*height) must be the product of at least 3 primes (not necessarily distinct primes).

(1) 56 < N < 63. N could be 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62. Analyze each case:

57=3*19 --> just two primes. Discard.
58=2*29 --> just two primes. Discard.
60=2^2*3*5 --> the product of 4 primes. OK. For example, the the length, the width and the height of the cube cold be 2, by 6, by 5.
62=2*31 --> just two primes. Discard.

As we can see, N can only be 60. Sufficient.

(2) N is a multiple of 3. Multiple values of N are possible so that it to be a multiple of 3 AND the product of at least 3 primes, for example 27 or 60. Not sufficient.

Hope it's clear.

Hi Bunnel,

The question says "each side of which is longer than 1 inch" so the lengths of each sides can even be "2, 2, 2, or 3,3,3" may i know why you took the lenghts as "2,3,4"

Regards
Srinath

I said that "the length, the width and the height of the rectangular box are integers more than one: 2, 3, 4, ... " So, yes, each dimension can be 2 or 3, for example .

Thanks Bunnel got it....
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Re: Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch  [#permalink]

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09 Nov 2016, 23:52
1
1
carcass wrote:
Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch long, inside a rectangular box, each side of which is longer than 1 inch, such that the box is completely filled with no gaps and no cubes left over. What is N?

(1) 56 < N < 63
(2) N is a multiple of 3.

In the explanation of this problem I can't figure out why " To be able to put N cubes into a rectangular box with no gaps and no left-over cubes, you must have the following equality: N = length × width × height. Moreover, if the length, width, and height are all greater than 1, then it must be true that N is the product of at least 3 primes. If N is itself prime or the product of just 2 primes (unique or not), then the condition fails.

So you can rephrase the question this way: is N the product of at least 3 primes?
"

Can you help me ?? the key of this problem is just this process of thought.......

Thanks

Please check the explanation in attachment
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Re: Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch  [#permalink]

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20 Jul 2017, 11:17
Bunuel wrote:
Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch long, inside a rectangular box, each side of which is longer than 1 inch, such that the box is completely filled with no gaps and no cubes left over. What is N?

Notice that, since the volume of each cube is 1 inch^3, then the volume of N cubes (the volume of the rectangular box) is N inch^3. For example if there are 10 cubes, then the volume of the rectangular box (total volume of 10 cubes) is 10 inch^3. Next, we are told that the length, the width and the height of the rectangular box is longer than 1 inch and there are no gaps when all cubes are put in the box, so the length, the width and the height of the rectangular box are integers more than one: 2, 3, 4, ... Thus each dimension of the rectangular box must have at least one prime in it, so the volume (length*width*height) must be the product of at least 3 primes (not necessarily distinct primes).

(1) 56 < N < 63. N could be 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62. Analyze each case:

57=3*19 --> just two primes. Discard.
58=2*29 --> just two primes. Discard.
60=2^2*3*5 --> the product of 4 primes. OK. For example, the the length, the width and the height of the cube cold be 2, by 6, by 5.
62=2*31 --> just two primes. Discard.

As we can see, N can only be 60. Sufficient.

(2) N is a multiple of 3. Multiple values of N are possible so that it to be a multiple of 3 AND the product of at least 3 primes, for example 27 or 60. Not sufficient.

Hope it's clear.

I don't understand the highlighted part. Help me plz! How this part can be deduced??
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Re: Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch  [#permalink]

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20 Jul 2017, 11:33
rma26 wrote:
Bunuel wrote:
Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch long, inside a rectangular box, each side of which is longer than 1 inch, such that the box is completely filled with no gaps and no cubes left over. What is N?

Notice that, since the volume of each cube is 1 inch^3, then the volume of N cubes (the volume of the rectangular box) is N inch^3. For example if there are 10 cubes, then the volume of the rectangular box (total volume of 10 cubes) is 10 inch^3. Next, we are told that the length, the width and the height of the rectangular box is longer than 1 inch and there are no gaps when all cubes are put in the box, so the length, the width and the height of the rectangular box are integers more than one: 2, 3, 4, ... Thus each dimension of the rectangular box must have at least one prime in it, so the volume (length*width*height) must be the product of at least 3 primes (not necessarily distinct primes).

(1) 56 < N < 63. N could be 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, or 62. Analyze each case:

57=3*19 --> just two primes. Discard.
58=2*29 --> just two primes. Discard.
60=2^2*3*5 --> the product of 4 primes. OK. For example, the the length, the width and the height of the cube cold be 2, by 6, by 5.
62=2*31 --> just two primes. Discard.

As we can see, N can only be 60. Sufficient.

(2) N is a multiple of 3. Multiple values of N are possible so that it to be a multiple of 3 AND the product of at least 3 primes, for example 27 or 60. Not sufficient.

Hope it's clear.

I don't understand the highlighted part. Help me plz! How this part can be deduced??

The question stem states that the sides of the rectangular box are greater than 1. This means the sides can be 2, or 3, or 4, etc.
So when we calculate the volume, it'll be 2*2*2, or 3*3*3, or 4*4*4, etc.
=> the volume of the rectangular box will be a multiple of 3 prime numbers. They could be the same prime number, or distinct prime numbers.

1) 56 < N < 63
All sides are greater than 1, so any value of N with 1 as a multiple will be discarded.
57 = 1*3*19 -> OUT
58 = 1*2*29 -> OUT
59 = 1*59 -> OUT
60 = $$2^2$$*3*5 -> Keep
61 = 1*61 -> OUT
62 = 1*2*31 -> OUT

N = 60. Sufficient.

2) N = 3a
N could be 27 = $$3^3$$, or 60 = $$2^2$$*3*5
2 values, hence, insufficient.

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Re: Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch  [#permalink]

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21 Jul 2017, 08:51
Didn't get it!

Oh! May be as 2 is the smallest prime, he said so.
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Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch  [#permalink]

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21 Jul 2017, 09:03
2
rma26 wrote:
Didn't get it!

Oh! May be as 2 is the smallest prime, he said so.

Primes are numbers that are divisible by 1, and itself.
And all numbers are made up of prime numbers.

4 = $$2^2$$ -> made up of 1 prime number 2.
12 = $$2^2$$*3 -> made up of 2 prime numbers 2 and 3.

The question stem states that the rectangular box has side lengths >1.

Volume of box = l*b*h
=> l,b,h > 1
So any value l,b,h take will consist of prime numbers.

Does this help?
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Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch  [#permalink]

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21 Jul 2017, 11:35
Yes! I thought so ,as I wrote in my last post. Thank you!

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Re: Jean puts N identical cubes, the sides of which are 1 inch  [#permalink]

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