Last visit was: 02 Sep 2026, 15:38 It is currently 02 Sep 2026, 15:38
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
Arjita1507
Joined: 23 Jan 2019
Last visit: 31 Aug 2026
Posts: 1
Given Kudos: 2
Posts: 1
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
chasing725
Joined: 22 Jun 2025
Last visit: 16 Aug 2026
Posts: 241
Own Kudos:
235
 [1]
Given Kudos: 6
Location: United States (OR)
Schools: Stanford
Schools: Stanford
Posts: 241
Kudos: 235
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
Dipanshi_25
Joined: 19 May 2024
Last visit: 01 Sep 2026
Posts: 3
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 57
Location: India
Products:
Posts: 3
Kudos: 1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
MakB
Joined: 05 May 2025
Last visit: 02 Sep 2026
Posts: 73
Own Kudos:
29
 [1]
Given Kudos: 146
Posts: 73
Kudos: 29
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
We know that,
D=dQ+R
Now I just applied all three remainder options to question
When R=0
n^2 - 8 = 33Q + 0
or n^2 = 33Q +8
No values of Q satisfied to give a perfect square,
Hence, Not I
Similarly I did for other two.

Hence, E
User avatar
GurpreetMahli
Joined: 06 Aug 2023
Last visit: 02 Sep 2026
Posts: 34
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 119
Location: United States
Products:
Posts: 34
Kudos: 12
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
D. Remainder is between 1 and n-1. n being the denominator.

Bunuel
If n is a positive integer, which of the following could be the remainder when n^2 - 8 is divided by 33?

I. 0
II. 15
III. 21

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. II and III only
E. None of these


 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Tests, Private Tutoring, and more

 


⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.
User avatar
dp1234
Joined: 15 Nov 2021
Last visit: 22 Jul 2026
Posts: 108
Own Kudos:
77
 [1]
Given Kudos: 169
GMAT Focus 1: 665 Q86 V83 DI80
GMAT Focus 1: 665 Q86 V83 DI80
Posts: 108
Kudos: 77
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Solving by cross checking the options and checking against condition - n is +ve integer.
nˆ2 = 33 (Option) + 8
for 0, nˆ2 = 8 Not possible, n cant be integer
for 15, nˆ2 = 295 , n cant be integer
for 21, nˆ2 = 699 , n cant be integer

Thus None of above, E.
User avatar
danielasolis
Joined: 28 Apr 2026
Last visit: 11 Aug 2026
Posts: 18
Own Kudos:
10
 [1]
Given Kudos: 10
Posts: 18
Kudos: 10
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
One way to solve this is by using modular arithmetic \(n^2-8≡X(mod33)\), where X represents the reminder. To simplify the calculation, I used 3 and 11 since they are relative primes of 33 (3•11=33). The remainders of \( n^2(mod3)\) are 0 or 1, and then the remainders of \( n^2(mod11) \) are 0,1,3,4,5,9. When testing the options to see if they matched the previously mentioned reminders, I found that none of them matched even the first prime (mod 3)=0,1, because all three options resulted in a remainder of 2. Therefore, the answer is:

E. None of these.

Bunuel
If n is a positive integer, which of the following could be the remainder when n^2 - 8 is divided by 33?

I. 0
II. 15
III. 21

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. II and III only
E. None of these


 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Tests, Private Tutoring, and more

 


⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.
User avatar
AthaniX
Joined: 21 Jun 2026
Last visit: 02 Sep 2026
Posts: 33
Own Kudos:
27
 [2]
Given Kudos: 2
Products:
Posts: 33
Kudos: 27
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Any integer /3 has remainder 0,1,2
Square them 0,1,4
These will leave remainders of only 0,1. Hence all n^2 will leave 0,1 remainders

8 leaves remainder 2,
n^2-8 can leave 0-2,1-2==-2,-1==1,2(remainders)
n^2-8 can only leave 1 or 2

Therefore, none of the above.
IMO- E
Bunuel
If n is a positive integer, which of the following could be the remainder when n^2 - 8 is divided by 33?

I. 0
II. 15
III. 21

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. II and III only
E. None of these


 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Tests, Private Tutoring, and more

 


⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.
User avatar
Amity007
Joined: 12 Sep 2025
Last visit: 02 Sep 2026
Posts: 266
Own Kudos:
490
 [2]
Given Kudos: 1,849
Location: India
Schools: ISB
Products:
Schools: ISB
Posts: 266
Kudos: 490
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
we can convert this into 33x + 8 + (options given) should be a perfect square.
None of the options give perfect square after adding to the equation.
So E.
Bunuel
If n is a positive integer, which of the following could be the remainder when n^2 - 8 is divided by 33?

I. 0
II. 15
III. 21

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. II and III only
E. None of these


 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Tests, Private Tutoring, and more

 


⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.
User avatar
GamePine
Joined: 31 May 2026
Last visit: 04 Aug 2026
Posts: 61
Own Kudos:
55
 [2]
Given Kudos: 1
GMAT Focus 1: 645 Q79 V85 DI82
GMAT Focus 1: 645 Q79 V85 DI82
Posts: 61
Kudos: 55
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Since n^2 -8 divided by 33 gives remainder r, I put it into the remainder formula to get n^2 - 8 =33x+r. Then I isolated n^2 by adding 8 to both sides.

n^2 = 33x + r + 8

Since 33 has factors of 3 and 11. we can use that 3 factor to filter the remainders of each term in the equation.

Squared numbers divided by 3 have a pattern of remainders of 0 and 1:
0^2 / 3 = 0/3, so remainder is 0
1^2 / 3 = 1/3, so remainder is 1
2^2 / 3 = 4/3, so remainder is 1
3^2 / 3 = 9/3, so remainder is 0
and so on.

33k will always be divisible by 3 and have a remainder of 0.

Lastly we will need the remainder for the term r+8 which we will find as we plug in the answer choices.

If we refer back to our equation n^2 = 33k + r + 8, we want the remainders of both sides to be equal. We can ignore 33k because the remainder is zero so we just need the remainder of r+8 to be either 0 or 1 to match n^2.

Now we plug in the remainder choices into r+8

0+8 = 8, 8/3 has a remainder of 2 so 0 is not a possible remainder.
15+8 = 23, 23/3 has a remainder of 2 so 15 is not a possible remainder
21+8 = 29, 29/3 has a remainder of 2 so 21 is not a possible remainder

The answer is E, none of these.
User avatar
AngelUPENN
Joined: 17 Jun 2026
Last visit: 25 Jul 2026
Posts: 36
Own Kudos:
29
 [2]
Given Kudos: 1
Products:
Posts: 36
Kudos: 29
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
E. none of these. Because all three candidate remainders leave remainder 0 when divided by 3, but n^2 - 8 can never leave remainder 0 when divided by 3 so none of them are possible.
Bunuel
If n is a positive integer, which of the following could be the remainder when n^2 - 8 is divided by 33?

I. 0
II. 15
III. 21

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. II and III only
E. None of these


 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Tests, Private Tutoring, and more

 


⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.
User avatar
alamin8
Joined: 24 May 2025
Last visit: 29 Aug 2026
Posts: 181
Own Kudos:
79
 [2]
Given Kudos: 32
Location: Bangladesh
Concentration: Accounting, Technology
GPA: 3.89
Posts: 181
Kudos: 79
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The answer choices, 0, 15, 21, are divided by 3, where n^2 - 8 cannot be divided by 3.
Why 3?
Divisor is 33, which can be divided by 3!
Let's test,
(4^2-8)/3 = 2, reminder 2
(5^2 - 8)/3 = 5, reminder 2
(6^2 - 8)/3 = 9, reminder 1
(9^2 - 8)/3 = 24, reminder 1
Therefore, it can be either 1 or 2, never 0.
Thus, neither of the choices is correct.
Answer (E)
User avatar
redandme21
Joined: 14 Dec 2025
Last visit: 01 Aug 2026
Posts: 157
Own Kudos:
144
 [2]
Posts: 157
Kudos: 144
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
n^2 - 8 = 33k + r

if r=0 then n^2 = 33k + 8
if r=15 then n^2 = 33k + 23
if r=21 then n^2 = 33k + 29

To determine whether the square of a number can satisfy the equations we divide both terms by 3 and the remainder must be the same.

In the left term, n can be:
+ multiple of 3 (3a): n^2 = 9a^2 and dividing by 3 the remainder is 0
+ (3a+1): n^2 = (3a+1)^2 = 9a^2 + 6a + 1 and dividing by 3 the remainder is 1
+ (3a-1): n^2 = (3a-1)^2 = 9a^2 - 6a + 1 and dividing by 3 the remainder is 1

In the right term:
33k + 8 = 33k + 6 + 2: dividing by 3 the remainder is 2
33k + 23 = 33k + 21 + 2: dividing by 3 the remainder is 2
33k + 29 = 33k + 27 + 2: dividing by 3 the remainder is 2

left term remainder can be 0 or 1
right term remainder can be 2

So it is impossible for any of the three options to be possible for any n.

IMO E
User avatar
occaecatitempora
Joined: 09 Jan 2026
Last visit: 08 Jul 2026
Posts: 1
Own Kudos:
2
 [2]
Posts: 1
Kudos: 2
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
E - None of these

Lets say n^2 - 8 = 33k + r where r is the remainder. Now lets substitute the value of options with r and check whether n^2 could be expressed in the form of 33k + r + 8

Option A: n^2 = 33K + 8 => Not Possible
Apply the similar logic for 15 and 21 and we find that none of these is possible

Hence Option E
Bunuel
If n is a positive integer, which of the following could be the remainder when n^2 - 8 is divided by 33?

I. 0
II. 15
III. 21

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. II and III only
E. None of these


 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Tests, Private Tutoring, and more

 


⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.
User avatar
Punt
Joined: 09 Jul 2024
Last visit: 10 Aug 2026
Posts: 96
Own Kudos:
77
 [1]
Given Kudos: 18
Location: India
Posts: 96
Kudos: 77
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Possible values of n2 - 8 when divided by 33

Since, 33 = 3*11,

Possible values of reaminder, when n^2 divided by 3
0^2 = 0
1^2 = 1
2^2 = 1

So, n^2 = 0 or 1 (reaminder when divided by 3)

Thus,

remainder when n^2 - 8 divided by 3


0-8 = (remainder 1)
1-8 = (remainder 2)

So, the remainder can never be divisible by 3.

Checking options:
0 is divisible by 3 - Not our answer
15 is divisible by 3 - Not our answer
21 is divisible by 3 - Not our answer.


Answer : E (None of these)


Bunuel
If n is a positive integer, which of the following could be the remainder when n^2 - 8 is divided by 33?

I. 0
II. 15
III. 21

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. II and III only
E. None of these


 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Tests, Private Tutoring, and more

 


⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.
User avatar
geocircle
Joined: 14 Dec 2025
Last visit: 27 Jul 2026
Posts: 150
Own Kudos:
143
 [1]
Posts: 150
Kudos: 143
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
n^2-8 divided by 33, remainder?

n^2-8=33*quotient+remainder

I. n^2-8=33*quotient+0 -> n^2=33*quotient+8
II. n^2-8=33*quotient+15 -> n^2=33*quotient+15+8=33*quotient+23
III. n^2-8=33*quotient+21 -> n^2=33*quotient+21+8=33*quotient+29

Cheking divisibility of n^2 by 3 (as 33=3*11):
if n=3,6,9,12... n^2 is divisible by 3 and remainder is 0
if n=1,4,7,10... n^2 divided by 3 the remainder is 1
if n=2,5,8,11... n^2 divided by 3 the remainder is 1

but:
33*quotient+8 divided by 3, the remainder is 2
33*quotient+23 divided by 3, the remainder is 2
33*quotient+29 divided by 3, the remainder is 2

In one case 0 or 1 and in the other case 2, no coincidence.

Answer E
User avatar
Desberia
Joined: 10 Mar 2026
Last visit: 29 Aug 2026
Posts: 17
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 5
Posts: 17
Kudos: 10
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
n^2-8=answer options
solving, no answe gives me an interger
so answe is none of the above
User avatar
Invincible_147
Joined: 29 Sep 2023
Last visit: 01 Sep 2026
Posts: 87
Own Kudos:
77
 [2]
Given Kudos: 173
GMAT Focus 1: 575 Q77 V81 DI78
GMAT Focus 1: 575 Q77 V81 DI78
Posts: 87
Kudos: 77
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi Everyone

Correction answer for this question - option E

Explanation - To check divisibility of n^2 -8 by 33 we need to check its divisiblity by 3 and 11 (as 33=3 x 11)

Check divilsiblity by 3 - Every +ve number is in a form of 3K, 3K+1, 3K+2 and if you sqaure these numbers and divide by 3 ,the outcome is only either 0 or 1

for example - 4%3=1 , 9%3=0, 49%3=1

Now if a number leaves remainder 0 is reduced by 8 and divided by 3 the remainder will be always 1
and if a number that leaves remainder 1 is reduced by 8 and divided by 3 the remainder is always 2

Therefore if number not divisible by 3 then it wont be divisible by 33
User avatar
JW555
Joined: 05 Jul 2026
Last visit: 19 Aug 2026
Posts: 28
Own Kudos:
20
 [1]
Products:
Posts: 28
Kudos: 20
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
E.
because the remainder of the sum of two numbers is sum of each number's remainder. The remainder of minus eight divided by thirty-three is minus eight. So, any additional remainder minus eight will have to be checked against the given remainders. n^2 can never be eight, so I is out. 15+8 = 23 it can also never be 23, so II is out and finally 21+8=29, It can also never be this number, so II is out.

Only E. None of these remains.
Bunuel
If n is a positive integer, which of the following could be the remainder when n^2 - 8 is divided by 33?

I. 0
II. 15
III. 21

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. II and III only
E. None of these


 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Tests, Private Tutoring, and more

 


⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.
User avatar
RohanNewDelhi
Joined: 29 Mar 2026
Last visit: 28 Aug 2026
Posts: 54
Own Kudos:
15
 [2]
Given Kudos: 3
Location: India
Posts: 54
Kudos: 15
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Given

N^2 = 33k + r + 8

We will test each value for R and see which comes out to be the perfect square

1st Test:

R = 0

Possible values of n^2: 8, 41, 74, 107, 140, 173 ....
None of them are perfect square


2nd Test:

R=15

Possible values of n^2: 23, 56, 89, 122, 155, 188 ....

None of them are perfect square

3rd Test:
r= 21

possible values of n^2: 29, 62, 95, 128, 161, 194 ....

From this we can conclude that answer is E.
Bunuel
If n is a positive integer, which of the following could be the remainder when n^2 - 8 is divided by 33?

I. 0
II. 15
III. 21

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. II and III only
E. None of these


 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

Win over $30,000 in prizes such as Courses, Tests, Private Tutoring, and more

 


⚠️ Important: GMAT Club does not allow AI-generated posts. AI-generated solutions are not eligible for kudos, and users who post them may face moderation action, including a ban.
   1   2   3   4   5   6   
Moderator:
Math Expert
113061 posts