Last visit was: 22 Apr 2026, 14:51 It is currently 22 Apr 2026, 14:51
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: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,754
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 105,823
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,754
Kudos: 810,663
 [33]
Kudos
Add Kudos
32
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
KSBGC
Joined: 31 Oct 2013
Last visit: 10 Mar 2022
Posts: 1,240
Own Kudos:
1,508
 [11]
Given Kudos: 635
Concentration: Accounting, Finance
GPA: 3.68
WE:Analyst (Accounting)
Posts: 1,240
Kudos: 1,508
 [11]
8
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Archit3110
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 18 Aug 2017
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 8,627
Own Kudos:
5,190
 [8]
Given Kudos: 243
Status:You learn more from failure than from success.
Location: India
Concentration: Sustainability, Marketing
GMAT Focus 1: 545 Q79 V79 DI73
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
GPA: 4
WE:Marketing (Energy)
Products:
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
Posts: 8,627
Kudos: 5,190
 [8]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
BrentGMATPrepNow
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 12 Sep 2015
Last visit: 31 Oct 2025
Posts: 6,733
Own Kudos:
36,444
 [2]
Given Kudos: 799
Location: Canada
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 6,733
Kudos: 36,444
 [2]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
If r and s are positive integers, each greater than 1, and if 11(s - 1) = 13(r - 1), what is the least possible value of r + s?

A. 2
B. 11
C. 22
D. 24
E. 26

GIVEN: \(11(s - 1) = 13(r - 1)\)

Expand: \(11s - 11 = 13r - 13\)

Add 13 to both sides: \(11s+2 = 13r\)

Subtract 11s from both sides: \(2 = 13r-11s\)

Subtract 2r from both sides: \(2 - 2r = 11r-11s\)

Factor both sides: \(2(1-r) = 11(r-s)\)

Since r and s are INTEGERS, we know that \((r-s)\) is an INTEGER, which means \(11(r-s)\) is a multiple of 11

From this, we can conclude that \(2(1-r)\) is a multiple of 11

What is the smallest value of r (given that r is a positive integer greater than 1) such that \(2(1-r)\) is a multiple of 11??

If \(r = 12\), then \(2(1-r)=2(1-12)=2(-11)=-22\)

So, \(r = 12\) is the smallest value of r to meet the given conditions.

To find the corresponding value or s, take \(11(s - 1) = 13(r - 1)\) and plug in \(r = 12\) to get: \(11(s - 1) = 13(12 - 1)\)

Simplify : \(11(s - 1) = 13(11)\)

This tells us that \(s-1=13\), which means \(s=14\)

So, the LEAST possible value of \(r+s =12+14=26\)

Answer: E

Cheers,
Brent
User avatar
rsrighosh
Joined: 13 Jun 2019
Last visit: 11 Dec 2022
Posts: 184
Own Kudos:
137
 [5]
Given Kudos: 645
GMAT 1: 490 Q42 V17
GMAT 2: 550 Q39 V27
GMAT 3: 630 Q49 V27
GMAT 3: 630 Q49 V27
Posts: 184
Kudos: 137
 [5]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
\(11(s-1) = 13(r-1)\)

This means

\(s-1 = 13k => s= 13k+1\)
\(r-1 = 11p => r = 11p+1\)

\(r+s = 13k + 11p + 2\)

Mininmum value can be found of k=p=1

Hence \(r+s = 13+11+2 = 26\)
User avatar
MathRevolution
User avatar
Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
Last visit: 27 Sep 2022
Posts: 10,063
Own Kudos:
20,000
 [4]
Given Kudos: 4
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
GPA: 3.82
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
Posts: 10,063
Kudos: 20,000
 [4]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
If s - 1 = 13 and r - 1 = 11 then we will get 11(s - 1) = 13(r - 1).

=> s - 1 = 13. Therefore, s = 14
=> r - 1 = 11. Therefore, r = 12

=> Least possible value of r + s = 14 + 12 = 26

=> We can also add equations directly as: r + s - 2 = 24 giving us r + s = 26.

Answer E
User avatar
WiziusCareers1
Joined: 27 Apr 2009
Last visit: 21 Apr 2026
Posts: 175
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 35
Status:Not Applying
Location: India
Schools: HBS '14 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q51 V36
Schools: HBS '14 (A)
GMAT 1: 730 Q51 V36
Posts: 175
Kudos: 542
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
1. Analyze the Given Equation

The initial equation is:
11(s−1) = 13(r−1)
Since r and s are positive integers, the terms (s−1) and (r−1) must also be integers.

2. Apply the Concept of Least Common Multiple (LCM)

The equation shows that the expression 11(s−1) is equal to 13(r−1). This means that the product must be a common multiple of 11 and 13.
Since 11 and 13 are prime numbers, they have no common factors other than 1.
Therefore, the least common multiple (LCM) of 11 and 13 is their product: 11×13=143.

To find the least possible value for r + s, we must find the least possible non-zero value for the expression 11(s−1) = 13(r−1). This least value is the LCM, 143.

3. Solve for s and r

Set the expression equal to the LCM, 143:
A. Solve for s:
11(s−1) = 143
s − 1= 13
s = 14

B. Solve for r:
13(r−1) = 143
r − 1 = 11
r = 12

4. Check the Constraints and Calculate r+s

The problem states that r and s must be positive integers, each greater than 1.
Our calculated values are r = 12 and s = 14. Both are positive integers and greater than 1. This is the least set of values that satisfies the equation and the constraints.

So, r + s = 12 + 14 = 26
The least possible value of r + s is 26.

The correct answer is E.
Moderators:
Math Expert
109754 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts