Recall that remainders follow a repeating pattern when x is divided into consecutive integers. For
example, when the integers 1 to 50 are divided by x = 4, the remainders form a [1, 2, 3, 0] repeating
pattern, and the sum of any consecutive 8 of these remainders would be 2 × [1 + 2 + 3 + 0] = 12.
However, when the integers 1 to 50 are divided by x = 3, the remainders are a [1, 2, 0] repeating pattern,
so the sum of any consecutive 8 of these remainders would depend on which term of the pattern was the
starting term.
(1) INSUFFICIENT: Statement (1) simply indicates that the largest of the eight consecutive integers is
divisible by x. It does not indicate the value of x, which determines the remainder pattern and, indirectly,
the sum of the remainders.
(2) INSUFFICIENT: Statement 2 simply indicates that the third largest of the eight consecutive integers is
divisible by x. It does not indicate the value of x, which determines the remainder pattern and, indirectly,
the sum of the remainders.
(1) & (2) SUFFICIENT: Together, the statements indicate that Largest Term and (Largest Term – 2) are
each divisible by x. Alternatively, the statements indicate a remainder pattern of [1,0] repeating. Thus, x
must be 2, and the sum of the remainders is 4 × [1 + 0] = 4.