GMAT Question of the Day - Daily to your Mailbox; hard ones only

 It is currently 14 Aug 2018, 01:50

### 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

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

# The first six positive integers are used once to form two three-digit

Author Message
TAGS:

### Hide Tags

BSchool Forum Moderator
Joined: 26 Feb 2016
Posts: 3027
Location: India
GPA: 3.12
The first six positive integers are used once to form two three-digit  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

31 Jan 2018, 10:49
3
00:00

Difficulty:

65% (hard)

Question Stats:

46% (01:17) correct 54% (01:34) wrong based on 47 sessions

### HideShow timer Statistics

The first six positive integers are used once to form two three-digit numbers.
What is the minimum possible difference between the two numbers formed?

A. 87
B. 78
C. 69
D. 60
E. 47

Source: Experts Global

_________________

You've got what it takes, but it will take everything you've got

Manager
Status: Turning my handicaps into assets
Joined: 09 Apr 2017
Posts: 120
The first six positive integers are used once to form two three-digit  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

31 Jan 2018, 11:26
Difference of two numbers is minimum when they are close to each other as much as possible. So I think 234-165=69 (C)

To make sure that we have arrived the minimum difference, we can look through the answer choices. In our case we should only look at the options lower than 69: D)60 and E)47.

D) 60 - cannot be the answer, because in order units digit to be 0, the two three-digit numbers' units digit must be the same which is not allowed in this question or both of them must be 0, which is not included in this range (since we deal with only positive integers here, 0 is neither positive nor negative) as well. Hence, D is off.

E) 47- only case when the units digit of the difference of these two numbers is 7, is ab3-cd6. In all such cases the answer is more than 47. E is off as well.

_________________

If time was on my side, I'd still have none to waste......

PS Forum Moderator
Joined: 25 Feb 2013
Posts: 1198
Location: India
GPA: 3.82
Re: The first six positive integers are used once to form two three-digit  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

31 Jan 2018, 11:42
pushpitkc wrote:
The first six positive integers are used once to form two three-digit numbers.
What is the minimum possible difference between the two numbers formed?

A. 87
B. 78
C. 69
D. 60
E. 47

Source: Experts Global

First six number are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6

Difference will be small when the numbers are as close as possible. One way to test the closeness is to fix the hundred's digit and then form two numbers. so we have

$$234-165=69$$

$$314-265=49$$

$$412-365=47$$......We Can stop here as this is the smallest number among the options

Option E
PS Forum Moderator
Joined: 25 Feb 2013
Posts: 1198
Location: India
GPA: 3.82
Re: The first six positive integers are used once to form two three-digit  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

31 Jan 2018, 11:44
Mehemmed wrote:
Difference of two numbers is minimum when they are close to each other as much as possible. So I think 234-165=69 (C)

To make sure that we have arrived the minimum difference, we can look through the answer choices. In our case we should only look at the options lower than 69: D)60 and E)47.

D) 60 - cannot be the answer, because in order units digit to be 0, the two three-digit numbers' units digit must be the same which is not allowed in this question or both of them must be 0, which is not included in this range (since we deal with only positive integers here, 0 is neither positive nor negative) as well. Hence, D is off.

E) 47- only case when the units digit of the difference of these two numbers is 7, is ab3-cd6. In all such cases the answer is more than 47. E is off as well.

Hi Mehemmed

test with other combinations.
Manager
Status: Turning my handicaps into assets
Joined: 09 Apr 2017
Posts: 120
Re: The first six positive integers are used once to form two three-digit  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

31 Jan 2018, 11:51
niks18 wrote:
Mehemmed wrote:
Difference of two numbers is minimum when they are close to each other as much as possible. So I think 234-165=69 (C)

To make sure that we have arrived the minimum difference, we can look through the answer choices. In our case we should only look at the options lower than 69: D)60 and E)47.

D) 60 - cannot be the answer, because in order units digit to be 0, the two three-digit numbers' units digit must be the same which is not allowed in this question or both of them must be 0, which is not included in this range (since we deal with only positive integers here, 0 is neither positive nor negative) as well. Hence, D is off.

E) 47- only case when the units digit of the difference of these two numbers is 7, is ab3-cd6. In all such cases the answer is more than 47. E is off as well.

Hi Mehemmed

test with other combinations.

niks18,

Yes, you are right. I forgot the other variations. Thank you for pointing out.
_________________

If time was on my side, I'd still have none to waste......

VP
Joined: 07 Dec 2014
Posts: 1064
The first six positive integers are used once to form two three-digit  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

31 Jan 2018, 13:46
1
2
pushpitkc wrote:
The first six positive integers are used once to form two three-digit numbers.
What is the minimum possible difference between the two numbers formed?

A. 87
B. 78
C. 69
D. 60
E. 47

Source: Experts Global

higher number:
d1=digit just above median (4)
d2=lowest digit (1)
d3=next lowest digit (2)

lower number:
d1=digit just below median (3)
d2=highest digit (6)
d3=next highest digit (5)

412-365=47
E
Senior Manager
Joined: 31 Jul 2017
Posts: 398
Location: Malaysia
WE: Consulting (Energy and Utilities)
Re: The first six positive integers are used once to form two three-digit  [#permalink]

### Show Tags

31 Jan 2018, 19:15
pushpitkc wrote:
The first six positive integers are used once to form two three-digit numbers.
What is the minimum possible difference between the two numbers formed?

A. 87
B. 78
C. 69
D. 60
E. 47

Source: Experts Global

The questions asks for the minimum possible. So, try with the last two options... anything below $$60 (For Ex: 412 - 356, 512 - 463)$$ will lead us to Option E. Otherwise, trying to find the correct combination is time consuming.
_________________

If my Post helps you in Gaining Knowledge, Help me with KUDOS.. !!

Re: The first six positive integers are used once to form two three-digit &nbs [#permalink] 31 Jan 2018, 19:15
Display posts from previous: Sort by

# Events & Promotions

 Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne Kindly note that the GMAT® test is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council®, and this site has neither been reviewed nor endorsed by GMAC®.