What is the units digit of integer s? (1) The units digit of

Question

What is the units digit of integer s?
(1) The units digit of  s^2  is double the units digit of s.
(2) The units digit of  s^3  is four times the units digit of s.

fluke · Answer

0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9: Unit digit of s
0,1,4,9,6,5,6,9,4,1: Unit digit of s^2
0,1,8,7,4,5,6,3,2,9: Unit digit of s^3

(1)
0 OR 2 possible.
Not Sufficient.

(2)
0 OR 2 possible.
Not Sufficient.

Combined:
0 OR 2.

Ans: "E"

moneymike · Answer

is it true that 0^2 is double 0? I suppose it is. Just doesn't seem right logically.

but I know mathematically: 2 x 0 = 0

fluke · Answer

I had the same dilemma before I decided to go with the mathematical interpretation. Let's ask others.

gurpreetsingh · Answer

IMO D

1.

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 have squares as 1,4,9,16,25,36,49,64,81

don not consider the odd numbers as the last digit could not be even if s is odd.

hence

2,4,6,8 have squares => 4,16,36,64

only s=2 is the solution. Hence sufficient.

similar statement 2 is also sufficient.

Hence D

2*0 is not double of 0...2*0 is actually 0

mehtakaustubh · Answer

i go with E, 0 should be considered

Posted from my mobile device

maverick04 · Answer

Dont think zero can be considered..IMO D

dreambeliever · Answer

OA is D

Here's the original explanation:

"Explanation: Statement (1) is sufficient: the only units digit that doubles
when squared is 2: a number with a units digit of 2, such as 12, has a units
digit of 4 ( 12^2  = 144) when squared.

Statement (2) is sufficient: the only units digit that quadruples when cubed
is also 2. A number with a units digit of 2, such as 2, has a units digit of 8
( 2^3 = 8) when cubed.
Choice (D) is correct."

It does not say anything about 0. I personally think 0 should be considered and ans should be E.

Source: Jeff Sackmann challenge series.

IanStewart · Answer

0 is certainly equal to 2*0, so as the question is written, the answer is E, as several people have pointed out above. The question would be more interesting if it specified that the units digit was nonzero (and judging by the (incorrect) OE, that was clearly the intention of the question designer).

fluke · Answer

Much needed clarification. thanks IanStewart.

Do you believe that GMAT is less likely to put us through such dilemmas?

scbguy · Answer

In the midst of Soo much intelligence I'd like to put in my two bit from a lay mans point of view. 
Firstly I got the answer D

Statement 1
If we test numbers 1 through 10 we see only the number 2 satisfies the description. So sufficient

Statement 2
The same logic applies and the only answer is 2 when numbers are tested 1-5.
Hence d. What is the OA.

https://gmatclub.com/static/posted_from.png     Posted from    GMAT ToolKit

gurpreetsingh · Answer

yes 0 is certainly equal to 2*0, but don't you think 2*0 is actually 0? not double of 0?

MHIKER · Answer

Double of 0 is 0. So from the calculation of fluke ans is D.

Schawjibb · Answer

How come Zero is "double" of Zero?!

I am (I guess, most of us here are) confused. Please, explain.

IanStewart · Answer

I guess I might ask what else double of zero could be. When you double something, you multiply it by 2. If you multiply zero by 2, you get zero.

All of that said, you would  never  see this kind of wording on the GMAT, so this discussion won't be helpful to anyone. The question is just not worded well.

amit2k9 · Answer

0,2 creeps in both of a and b.Hence E it is.

bhandariavi · Answer

Both 0 & 2 satisfy the both statements.
No unique solution.
E is the quick answer.

Gmatdecoder · Answer

Regardless of whether ) should be included, I have another query. For Statement 2, 8 when cubed is 512 (unit No of 2) and unit no. of 8 * 4 is 32 (also unit no. 2) so shouldnt it be included as a possible no too?

hoping to get a reply on this one.

hoping to get a reply on this one.

Harley1980 · Answer

Hello  Gmatdecoder 
When task says "The units digit of s3 is four times the units digit of s" it means that four times s will give us one digit result because unit digits can't be equal to 32

So 8 is out of case.

What is the units digit of integer s? (1) The units digit of

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Data Sufficiency (DS) Questions

What is the units digit of integer s? (1) The units digit of

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards