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GMATPrepNow
\(j\) and \(k\) are positive integers, and \(n = 10^j + k\). Is \(n\) divisible by 15?

(1) j and k are each divisible by 3
(2) j and k are each divisible by 5

*kudos for all correct solutions

j & k are positive integers, So zero is NOT valid in any case here.

To make n divisible by 15, n must have BOTH unit digit either 0 or 5, and sum of the digits divisible by 3. For example: 105, 10050, 135...etc

(1) j and k are each divisible by 3

We can use plug-in or use reasoning. I would choose the latter.

\(10^j\) have always sum of 1. Therefore, if 1 is added to any number divisible by the 3, will make the total not divisible by 3 and hence not divisible by 15

Sufficient

(2) j and k are each divisible by 5

Let j=2 k =5..........n=105.........Answer is Yes

Let j=2 k =25..........n=105.........Answer is No

Insufficient

Answer: A
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GMATPrepNow
\(j\) and \(k\) are positive integers, and \(n = 10^j + k\). Is \(n\) divisible by 15?

(1) j and k are each divisible by 3
(2) j and k are each divisible by 5

*kudos for all correct solutions

Given: n = 10^j + k

Target question: Is n divisible by 15?

Key concepts:
- If n is divisible by 15, then n must be divisible by 3 AND by 5
- If n is divisible by 3, then the sum of n's digits must be divisible by 3 (for example, we know that 747 is divisible by 3, because 7+4+7 = 18, and 18 is divisible by 3)


Statement 1: j and k are each divisible by 3
First recognize that 10^j = 1 followed by j zeros. For example, 10^15 = 1,000,000,000,000,000 (1 followed by 15 zeros)
Next, recognize that, if k is divisible by 3, then the sum of n's digits must be divisible by 3
So, if n = 10^j + k, then the sum of n's digits will be 1 greater than some multiple of 3. [since we're adding 1 and several zeros to a number that is divisible by 3]

For example, if j = 6 and k = 24, then n = 10^j + k = 10^6 + 24 = 1,000,024. In this case, the sum of n's digits = 1+0+0+0+0+2+4 = 7, which is 1 greater than a multiple of 3.
Likewise, if j = 9 and k = 75, then n = 10^j + k = 10^9 + 75 = 1,000, 000,075. In this case, the sum of n's digits = 13, which is 1 greater than a multiple of 3.
And, if j = 15 and k = 99, then n = 10^15 + 99 = 1,000, 000,000,000,099. In this case, the sum of n's digits = 19, which is 1 greater than a multiple of 3.
And so on.
Since the sum of n's digits will always be 1 greater than some multiple of 3, we can be certain that n is NOT divisible by 3
So, by the above property, n is NOT divisible by 15
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: j and k are each divisible by 5
There are several values of j and k that satisfy statement 2. Here are two:
Case a: j = 5 and k = 5. In this case, n = 10^j + k = 10^5 + 5 = 100,005. Since 100,005 is divisible by 3 and by 5, the answer to the target question is YES, n IS divisible by 15
Case b: j = 5 and k = 10. In this case, n = 10^j + k = 10^5 + 10 = 100,010. Since 100,010 is NOT divisible by 3, the answer to the target question is NO, n is NOT divisible by 15
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Answer: A

Cheers,
Brent
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