If a and b are positive integers so that the remainder, when dividing

Question

If a and b are positive integers so that the remainder, when dividing a by b is 4. Which of the following could be the value of a/b?

a)3/4

b) 1/3

c) 5/8

d) 5/7

e) 7/8

Source: ExamPAL

Kudos for detailed explanation!

Teerex · Accepted Answer

This is ExamPAL's solution:
Since all the answers are smaller than 1, a must be smaller than b. So a must be the remainder itself. 
so, 4/b=fraction such that b is an integer.
Checking this:
Option A: 4/b=3/4 => b=16/3 (incorrect as b is not an integer)
Option B: 4/b=1/3 =>b=12 (Correct as b is an integer)

So, B is the correct answer!

I thought the solution is really cool coz I didn't think like that at all! Hope you like it :D

pushpitkc · Answer

This is the method that I used to solve this problem
We need the fraction a/b such that we get remainder as 4.

Evaluate the various answer options available
a) 3x/4x
 When x=1, remainder of 3 
 When x=2, remainder of 6
 When x=3, remainder of 9
 When x=4, remainder of 12
b) x/3x
 When x=1, remainder of 1 
 When x=2, remainder of 2
 When x=3, remainder of 3
  When x=4, remainder of 4

Hence, Option B(1/3) could be the value of the expression (a/b)

rahul16singh28 · Answer

As per the question - a - 4 = bq , which means as a & b are positive integers, a value will always be greater than or equal to 4. Lets take a = 5, bq = 1 (a>b) a = 6, bq = 2 (a > b). But as per the options a < b. So, the only value possible for a = 4, bq = 0 (here, q = 0 as b is positive integer) As a = 4 , to make a < b, b = 4k (Where k = 2,3,4,5,6,7,8..... etc). Only Option is \frac{4}{12} = \frac{1}{3}

gracie · Answer

let q=quotient
a=bq+4
assume b>a
then q=0 and a=4
only 4/b=1/3 makes b an integer
4/12=1/3
B

chetan2u · Answer

Hi....

All the choices are in simplest form with denominator>numerator..
So the REMAINDER will be MULTIPLE of numerator..
All other except A and B have a numerator>4, so none of the C, D and E can have a Remainder of 4..
A has 3 in numerator so the Remainder will be 3,6,9... 
4 is not a MULTIPLE of 3, so A out
Ans B.
and a and b are 4 and 12..

Note:- choices should have been in increasing/decreasing order.

JeffTargetTestPrep · Answer

Scanning the answer choices, we observe that all the choices are proper fractions. This means that b is greater than a, which in turn implies that the remainder from the division of a by b is in fact a. Therefore, a = 4.

We note that for any answer choice besides 1/3, it is not possible to obtain an equivalent fraction where the numerator is 4. Since 1/3 = 4/12, the remainder when dividing 4 by 12 is 4.

Answer: B

srinjoy1990 · Answer

Mathematically, a=kb+4 where k=0,1,2,.....

so, a/b = k+4/b .. hence a/b has to be greater than 1 for all values of k except 0. For k=0, a=4.
Hence the numerator must be a multiple of 4. Hence, B.

Hope this makes sense.

Tx.

EncounterGMAT · Answer

I have a doubt (marked in red). I have seen such calculations in this forum but never really understand it. I know the doubt might be silly but someone pls explain it to me?

when x is 1, 3/4 after doing long division would give quotient=0.7 and remainder=2
similarly, when x=2, 6/8 would give quotient=0.7 and remainder=4 and likewise for the rest. quotient will be in decimals as the numerator<denominator.

after using the same method, (2) was solved and yes, the remainders are correct like 1/3 gives quotient=0.3 and remainder=1.
Where am I going wrong?

bumpbot · Answer

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If a and b are positive integers so that the remainder, when dividing

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If a and b are positive integers so that the remainder, when dividing

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