Last visit was: 21 Apr 2026, 15:18 It is currently 21 Apr 2026, 15:18
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: 21 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,728
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,800
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,728
Kudos: 810,465
 [11]
Kudos
Add Kudos
11
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
NandishSS
Joined: 06 Jan 2015
Last visit: 28 Jan 2021
Posts: 701
Own Kudos:
1,786
 [3]
Given Kudos: 579
Location: India
Concentration: Operations, Finance
GPA: 3.35
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Posts: 701
Kudos: 1,786
 [3]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
ITGMAT
Joined: 20 Sep 2015
Last visit: 14 Apr 2022
Posts: 25
Own Kudos:
5
 [1]
Given Kudos: 109
Location: India
WE:Research (Energy)
Posts: 25
Kudos: 5
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
avatar
SidKan
Joined: 02 Oct 2016
Last visit: 09 Apr 2018
Posts: 20
Own Kudos:
4
 [1]
Given Kudos: 35
Products:
Posts: 20
Kudos: 4
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
1st condition: n= 9q+3 so n could be 3, 12, 21, 30
2nd condi : n= 6q + 3 so n could be 3,9, 15, 21, 27
so common term = 3 & 21
check next number - 3+18 =21 which also yields remainder 3 on division by 6 & 9.
hence smallest value is 3. Answer is A.
avatar
GaurSaini
Joined: 06 Feb 2020
Last visit: 18 Feb 2021
Posts: 25
Own Kudos:
126
 [1]
Given Kudos: 64
Posts: 25
Kudos: 126
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
y = 9k + 3
y = 6M + 3

LCM(9,6) = 18

Hence y = 18N +3

Now putting values of N as 0,1,2,3...we can get various values of y. Smallest value will be when N=0, i.e. 3.
avatar
shantanugaware
Joined: 02 Nov 2021
Last visit: 13 Nov 2024
Posts: 7
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 11
Posts: 7
Kudos: 3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
If the remainder when positive integer y is divided by 9 is 3 and the remainder when y is divided by 6 is also 3, what is the smallest possible value of y?

A. 3
B. 12
C. 18
D. 21
E. 27

I don't see how it could be any of these. Could you please help me through this one? Thanks.
User avatar
BrushMyQuant
Joined: 05 Apr 2011
Last visit: 03 Apr 2026
Posts: 2,286
Own Kudos:
2,678
 [1]
Given Kudos: 100
Status:Tutor - BrushMyQuant
Location: India
Concentration: Finance, Marketing
Schools: XLRI (A)
GMAT 1: 700 Q51 V31
GPA: 3
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Expert
Expert reply
Schools: XLRI (A)
GMAT 1: 700 Q51 V31
Posts: 2,286
Kudos: 2,678
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The remainder when positive integer y is divided by 9 is 3 and the remainder when y is divided by 6 is also 3

As y leaves same remainder (3) when divided by both 9 and 6
=> y = 3 + Multiple of LCM(9,6)
=> y = 3 + 18k (where k is an integer)
=> y = 18k + 3

Smallest possible value of y = 3 when k = 0

So, Answer will be A
Hope it helps!

Watch the following video to MASTER Remainders

User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,956
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,956
Kudos: 1,117
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Automated notice from GMAT Club BumpBot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109728 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts