Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
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Re: The product of positive integers m and n is 36. What is the
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15 Sep 2015, 09:17
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.
The product of positive integers m and n is 36. What is the value of m + n?
(1) m is evenly divisible by 9.
(2) n is evenly divisible by 2.
In the original condition we have 2 variables (m,n) and 1 equation (mn=36) thus we need 1 more equation to match the number ov variables and equations. Since there is 1 each in 1) and 2), there is high probability that D is the answer.
In case of 1), (m,n)=(9,4),(18,2) the answer is not unique and therefore the condition is not sufficient.
In case of 2), ((m,n)=(9,4),(18,2) the answer is not not unique, and therefore the condition is not sufficient
Using both 1) & 2) together, (m,n)=(9,4),(18,2) the answer is not unique, and the condition is not sufficient.
Therefore the answer is E.
Normally for cases where we need 1 more equation, such as original conditions with 1 variable, or 2 variables and 1 equation, or 3 variables and 2 equations, we have 1 equation each in both 1) and 2). Therefore D has a high chance of being the answer, which is why we attempt to solve the question using 1) and 2) separately. Here, there is 59 % chance that D is the answer, while A or B has 38% chance. There is 3% chance that C or E is the answer for the case. Since D is most likely to be the answer according to DS definition, we solve the question assuming D would be our answer hence using 1) and 2) separately. Obviously there may be cases where the answer is A, B, C or E.