Last visit was: 24 Apr 2026, 19:13 It is currently 24 Apr 2026, 19:13
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
Sajjad1994
User avatar
GRE Forum Moderator
Joined: 02 Nov 2016
Last visit: 24 Apr 2026
Posts: 16,773
Own Kudos:
51,914
 [27]
Given Kudos: 6,334
GPA: 3.62
Products:
Posts: 16,773
Kudos: 51,914
 [27]
Kudos
Add Kudos
27
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
0akshay0
Joined: 19 Apr 2016
Last visit: 14 Jul 2019
Posts: 192
Own Kudos:
657
 [10]
Given Kudos: 59
Location: India
GMAT 1: 570 Q48 V22
GMAT 2: 640 Q49 V28
GPA: 3.5
WE:Web Development (Computer Software)
GMAT 2: 640 Q49 V28
Posts: 192
Kudos: 657
 [10]
5
Kudos
Add Kudos
5
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 24 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,818
Own Kudos:
811,087
 [1]
Given Kudos: 105,873
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,818
Kudos: 811,087
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
EMPOWERgmatRichC
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 19 Dec 2014
Last visit: 31 Dec 2023
Posts: 21,777
Own Kudos:
13,047
 [3]
Given Kudos: 450
Status:GMAT Assassin/Co-Founder
Affiliations: EMPOWERgmat
Location: United States (CA)
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Posts: 21,777
Kudos: 13,047
 [3]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi SajjadAhmad,

Based on the answers choices (and the correct answer), the "intent" of this question is that that Z = (10^N) - 4. We're also told that the sum of the DIGITS of Z is 186. We're asked for the value of N.

Consider the following examples...

IF....
N = 1, then Z = 10 - 4 = 6 and the sum of the digits is 6
N = 2, then Z = 100 - 4 = 96 and the sum of the digits is 15
N = 3, then Z = 1000 - 4 = 996 and the sum of the digits is 24

Notice that when N increases by 1, the sum of the digits of Z increases by 9. To answer this question, we just have to determine how many additional "9s" we have to add to get the sum of the digits up to 186.

Since N = 1 led to a sum of 6, we need twenty 9s to get the sum up to 186. Thus, N would have to be 1 + 20 = 21

Final Answer:
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
User avatar
lorenzo393
Joined: 23 Jan 2017
Last visit: 29 Mar 2025
Posts: 12
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 3
Posts: 12
Kudos: 13
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello :)
try finding the pattern...
10^2-4=96
10^3-4=996
10^4-4=9996
conclude that sum of digits=9(n-1)+6 --> 9(n-1)+6=186 n=21 answer:c
User avatar
RMD007
Joined: 03 Jul 2016
Last visit: 08 Jun 2019
Posts: 238
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 80
Status:Countdown Begins...
Location: India
Concentration: Technology, Strategy
Schools: IIMB
GMAT 1: 580 Q48 V22
GPA: 3.7
WE:Information Technology (Consulting)
Products:
Schools: IIMB
GMAT 1: 580 Q48 V22
Posts: 238
Kudos: 208
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
SajjadAhmad
The sum of the digits of integer z is 186 and \(z = 10^{n}\) -4. What is the value of positive integer n?

(A) 19
(B) 20
(C) 21
(D) 22
(E) 23

I have tried to write 10 raise to power n minus 4 in question according to (Writing Mathematical Formulas on the Forum) but failed so z= 10 raise to power n minus 4 which is highlited

For any n>2, \(10^n-4\) will have 96 in the end. Sum of 96 = 15.

186 - 15 = 171.

All the numbers in \(10^n-4\), apart from 96, should to be 9. So numbers of 9's will be

\(\frac{171}{9}= 19\)

19(9's) + 2(96) = 21.

Answer C.

Kudos if helped..
User avatar
hanyhamdani
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 30 Dec 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2019
Posts: 27
Own Kudos:
28
 [1]
Given Kudos: 26
Status:preparing
Location: United Arab Emirates
Concentration: Technology, Entrepreneurship
GMAT 1: 660 Q45 V35
GMAT 2: 640 Q49 V28
GPA: 2.84
WE:General Management (Consumer Packaged Goods)
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
[quote="SajjadAhmad"]The sum of the digits of integer z is 186 and \(z = 10^{n}\) -4. What is the value of positive integer n?

(A) 19
(B) 20
(C) 21
(D) 22
(E) 23

I have tried to write 10 raise to power n minus 4 in question according to (Writing Mathematical Formulas on the Forum) but failed so z= 10 raise to power n minus 4 which is highlited[/quote

sum of digits =186 =180+6
repeatition of 9 = 180/9=20 times
10-4=6
whereas 10^2-4=96
power of 10 must be one greater than the power of 9.
power of 10 = n= 20+1=21
ans C
User avatar
eabhgoy
Joined: 12 Apr 2011
Last visit: 14 Jan 2021
Posts: 112
Own Kudos:
289
 [2]
Given Kudos: 85
Location: United Arab Emirates
Concentration: Strategy, Marketing
GMAT 1: 670 Q50 V31
GMAT 2: 720 Q50 V37
GPA: 3.2
WE:Marketing (Telecommunications)
GMAT 2: 720 Q50 V37
Posts: 112
Kudos: 289
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
It needs to be clear at the outset that the question states ((10^n) – 4)
(10^1) – 4 = 6 (i.e. 0 times 9 & 6)
(10^2) – 4 = 96 (i.e. 1 times 9 & 6)
(10^3) – 4 = 996 (i.e. 2 times 9 & 6)
(10^4) – 4 = 9996 (i.e. 3 times 9 & 6)
(10^5) – 4 = 99996 (i.e. 4 times 9 & 6)

Hence we can conclude that
(10^n) – 4 = (n-1) times 9 & 6

Total sum of digits = 186 & 6 is always present hence sum of 9’s should be = 186 -6 = 180
i.e. 9(n-1)=180 that implies n = 21

Hence C
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,975
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,975
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
109818 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts