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Pansi
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Hi folks,

Both are insufficient without any doubts checking for option (C).

P=3 , P-2 =1 27-1 = 26/3 =2

P=4 , P-2 = 2 64-8 = 56/3 =2

P=5 , P-2 = 3 125-27 , Rem=2

P=6, P-2 = 4 Rem =2

Hence (C)
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Pansi
If P, Q, and R are positive integers, what is the remainder when R – Q is divided by 3?

(1) R = P^3
(2) Q = (P – 2)^3

Statement One Alone:

R = P^3

Since we don’t know anything about Q, statement one alone is not sufficient.

Statement Two Alone:

Q = (P - 2)^3

Since we don’t know anything about R, statement two alone is not sufficient.

Statements One and Two Together:

Since R = P^3

and

Q = (P - 2)^3

Q = (P^2 - 4P + 4)(P - 2)

Q = P^3 - 6P^2 + 12P - 8, R - Q

Q = 6P^2 - 12P + 8

Q = 3(2P^2 - 4P + 2) + 2.

We see that the remainder is 2 when R - Q = 3(2P^2 - 4P + 2) + 2 is divided by 3.

Answer: C
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Let me provide a different approach to this question:

Clearly St1 and 2 alone are NOT suff as they provide info about only one variable.

Combining ST 1 & 2

P can be of form 3k, 3k+1 or 3k+2

The corresponding values of R are (3k)^3 , (3k+1)^3 or (3k+2)^3 , Corresponding Remainder of R/3 are 0, 1, 2
and corresponding values of Q are (3k-2)^3, (3k-1)^3 or (3k)^3, Corresponding Remainder of Q/3 are -2, -1, 0 ( used concept of the negative remainder, positive remainder can also be used)

remainder when R – Q is divided by 3 = difference of the remainder of R/3 and Q/3 = (0-(-2)) or (1-(-1)) or (2-0) = 2

Hence, the required remainder is 2.

Sufficient.


Pansi
If P, Q, and R are positive integers, what is the remainder when R – Q is divided by 3?

(1) R = P^3
(2) Q = (P – 2)^3
­
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