Last visit was: 13 May 2026, 11:18 It is currently 13 May 2026, 11:18
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 13 May 2026
Posts: 110,330
Own Kudos:
814,697
 [2]
Given Kudos: 106,227
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 110,330
Kudos: 814,697
 [2]
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 13 May 2026
Posts: 110,330
Own Kudos:
814,697
 [1]
Given Kudos: 106,227
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 110,330
Kudos: 814,697
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
einstein801
Joined: 23 Jan 2024
Last visit: 18 Feb 2025
Posts: 149
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 138
Posts: 149
Kudos: 235
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 13 May 2026
Posts: 110,330
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 106,227
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 110,330
Kudos: 814,697
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
unicornilove
What's the proof that factor of a square number is also a factor of that number?
Bunuel
Official Solution:

If 11 is a factor of \(n^2\) and \(\sqrt{n}\) is a prime number, what is the sum of the digits of the positive integer \(n\)?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5


Exponentiation does not "produce" primes. Since 11 is a factor of \(n^2\), it must also be a factor of \(n\). Essentially, this condition implies that \(n\) is a multiple of 11.

Furthermore, the condition that \(\sqrt{n}\) is a prime number implies \(n = \text{prime}^2\).

Given that \(n\) is a multiple of 11 and \(n = \text{prime}^2\), it follows that \(n = 11^2 = 121\). Therefore, the sum of the digits of \(n\) is \(1 + 2 + 1 = 4\).


Answer: D
­

That's not true for all factors. If you read carefully, you will see that the solution talks about prime factors. If a prime number p is a factor of n^2, where n is an integer, then it must also be a factor of n because exponentiation does not "produce" primes.
User avatar
sssdd1234
Joined: 18 Feb 2023
Last visit: 16 Mar 2025
Posts: 68
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 22
Posts: 68
Kudos: 9
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I think this is a high-quality question and I agree with explanation.
User avatar
shisingh
Joined: 25 May 2024
Last visit: 24 Sep 2025
Posts: 26
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 38
Location: India
Concentration: Economics, Strategy
Schools: ISB '27
GMAT Focus 1: 665 Q84 V85 DI80
Schools: ISB '27
GMAT Focus 1: 665 Q84 V85 DI80
Posts: 26
Kudos: 2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
if I take n^2 =121 and n =11 then also it satisfies the conditions. and ans will be 2. what is wrong with my approach?
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 13 May 2026
Posts: 110,330
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 106,227
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 110,330
Kudos: 814,697
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
shisingh
Bunuel
Official Solution:

If 11 is a factor of \(n^2\) and \(\sqrt{n}\) is a prime number, what is the sum of the digits of the positive integer \(n\)?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5


Exponentiation does not "produce" primes. Since 11 is a factor of \(n^2\), it must also be a factor of \(n\). Essentially, this condition implies that \(n\) is a multiple of 11.

Furthermore, the condition that \(\sqrt{n}\) is a prime number implies \(n = \text{prime}^2\).

Given that \(n\) is a multiple of 11 and \(n = \text{prime}^2\), it follows that \(n = 11^2 = 121\). Therefore, the sum of the digits of \(n\) is \(1 + 2 + 1 = 4\).


Answer: D
if I take n^2 =121 and n =11 then also it satisfies the conditions. and ans will be 2. what is wrong with my approach?

The question says "\(\sqrt{n}\) is a prime number". Is it true if n = 11?
User avatar
bondi123
Joined: 25 Aug 2020
Last visit: 11 Feb 2026
Posts: 39
Given Kudos: 5
Location: Indonesia
GPA: 3.24
Posts: 39
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I like the solution - it’s helpful.
User avatar
shaliny
Joined: 30 Oct 2023
Last visit: 13 May 2026
Posts: 124
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1,038
Products:
Posts: 124
Kudos: 26
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
i didn't get it, please elaborate it little bit..?
Bunuel
Official Solution:

If 11 is a factor of \(n^2\) and \(\sqrt{n}\) is a prime number, what is the sum of the digits of the positive integer \(n\)?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5


Exponentiation does not "produce" primes. Since 11 is a factor of \(n^2\), it must also be a factor of \(n\). Essentially, this condition implies that \(n\) is a multiple of 11.

Furthermore, the condition that \(\sqrt{n}\) is a prime number implies \(n = \text{prime}^2\).

Given that \(n\) is a multiple of 11 and \(n = \text{prime}^2\), it follows that \(n = 11^2 = 121\). Therefore, the sum of the digits of \(n\) is \(1 + 2 + 1 = 4\).


Answer: D
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 13 May 2026
Posts: 110,330
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 106,227
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 110,330
Kudos: 814,697
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
shaliny
i didn't get it, please elaborate it little bit..?


You can check alternative solutions here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/if-11-is-a-f ... 29816.html

Or you can specify what exactly is unclear in the solution so I can address it.
Moderators:
Math Expert
110330 posts
Founder
43271 posts