by: Bunuel
31 mins
Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Sep 1008:00 PM PDT
-09:00 PM PDT
Free- full-length test + 15 concept videos + 150+ short videos + study plan!
Sep 0812:30 AM EDT
-01:30 AM EDT
Looking for your GMAT motivation to break through the score plateau? Pragati improved her score by massive 160 points with strategic guidance and hard-work! Find out how personalized mentorship and a strong mindset can turn GMAT struggles into success.
Sep 1001:00 AM EDT
-02:00 AM EDT
Learn how Keshav, a Chartered Accountant, scored an impressive 705 on GMAT in just 30 days with GMATWhiz's expert guidance. In this video, he shares preparation tips and strategies that worked for him, including the mock, time management, and more.
Sep 1507:00 PM EDT
-09:00 PM EST
Elite scores are possible when you enroll in a powerful GMAT course, taught live online + 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included! Class starts Tues/Thurs Sept. 15, 2026 - Nov. 15, 2027, 7:00pm-9:00pm EST
Sep 2107:00 PM EDT
-10:00 PM EDT
Boost your GMAT score in less than one month in a live online class + 6 months access to TTP OnDemand video courses included! Class starts Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur, Fri Sept. 21, 2026 - Oct. 9, 2027, 7:00pm-10:00pm EST
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
25%
(medium)
Question Stats:
70% (00:47) correct
30%
(00:55)
wrong
based on 10222
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
If y is an integer, then the least possible value of |23 - 5y| is
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
_________________
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
_________________
New to the GMAT Club?
- • Questions: Question Bank | Bunuel's Signature Collection
• Tests: GMAT Club Tests | Forum Quiz
• Guides: Quantitative | Critical Reasoning | Reading Comprehension | Ultimate Quant Guide | All You Need for Quant
• Rules: Quantitative | Verbal
SOLUTION
If y is an integer, then the least possible value of |23 - 5y| is
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
\(|23-5y|\) represents the distance between 23 and \(5y\) on the number line. Now, the distance will be minimized when \(5y\), which is multiple of 5, is closest to 23. Multiple of 5 which is closest to 23 is 25 (for \(y=5\)), so the least distance is 2: \(|23-25|=2\).
Answer: B.
_________________
If y is an integer, then the least possible value of |23 - 5y| is
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
\(|23-5y|\) represents the distance between 23 and \(5y\) on the number line. Now, the distance will be minimized when \(5y\), which is multiple of 5, is closest to 23. Multiple of 5 which is closest to 23 is 25 (for \(y=5\)), so the least distance is 2: \(|23-25|=2\).
Answer: B.
_________________
New to the GMAT Club?
- • Questions: Question Bank | Bunuel's Signature Collection
• Tests: GMAT Club Tests | Forum Quiz
• Guides: Quantitative | Critical Reasoning | Reading Comprehension | Ultimate Quant Guide | All You Need for Quant
• Rules: Quantitative | Verbal
hamm0
Joined: 31 Oct 2011
Last visit: 31 Mar 2015
Posts: 474
Schools: Johnson '16 (M)
GMAT 1: 690 Q45 V40
WE:Asset Management (Mutual Funds and Brokerage)
To find the value of y that yields that minimum for |23 - 5y|, I tested numbers (integers).
1: |23-5(1)| = 18
2: |23-5(2)| = 13
3: |23-5(3)| = 8
4: |23-5(4)| = 3
5: |23-5(5)| = 2
6: |23-5(6|| = 7
7: |23-5(7)| = 12
This is a rather simple problem that can be figured out well under the 2 minute allowance - that said, it is a bit of a trap if you're not paying attention, and mark 5 instead of 2, as 5 is the value of y that yields the answer of 2.
1: |23-5(1)| = 18
2: |23-5(2)| = 13
3: |23-5(3)| = 8
4: |23-5(4)| = 3
5: |23-5(5)| = 2
6: |23-5(6|| = 7
7: |23-5(7)| = 12
The correct answer is B, 2.
This is a rather simple problem that can be figured out well under the 2 minute allowance - that said, it is a bit of a trap if you're not paying attention, and mark 5 instead of 2, as 5 is the value of y that yields the answer of 2.
General Discussion
Bunuel
\(|23-5y|\) is the distance between \(23\) and the integer multiple of \(5\), \(5y\).
So, the question is asking for the smallest distance between a multiple of \(5\) and \(23\).
Since \(20=4\cdot5<23<5\cdot5=25\) and \(23\) is closer to \(25\) than to \(20\), the answer is \(|23-25|=2\).
Answer B.
_________________
PhD in Applied Mathematics
Love GMAT Quant questions and running.
Love GMAT Quant questions and running.
If y is an integer, then the least possible value of |23 - 5y| is
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
The integers which are multiple of 5 & closest to 23 on the number line are either 20 or 25.
Thus the minimum distance possible is 2 units
Answer B
(A) 1
(B) 2
(C) 3
(D) 4
(E) 5
The integers which are multiple of 5 & closest to 23 on the number line are either 20 or 25.
Thus the minimum distance possible is 2 units
Answer B
Posts: 62
Since absolute value stands for the distance on the number line. The question asks for a shortest distance between 23 and a multiple of 5. 25 is the multilple of 5 that is closest to 23 with a shortest distance of 2. 5 is the value of y that shall yield 25 and hence the answer is E
When they asked least possible value, I was thinking of the value with the lowest probability and figured it could either be 1 4 and 5. Didnt think that they were asking what is the closest value
EMPOWERgmatRichC
Expert
Major Poster
Joined: 19 Dec 2014
Last visit: 31 Dec 2023
Posts: 21,775
Status:GMAT Assassin/Co-Founder
Affiliations: EMPOWERgmat
Location: United States (CA)
GMAT 1: 800 Q51 V49
GRE 1: Q170 V170
Expert reply
Hi Psy881212,
GMAT writers are never trying to 'trick' you, so 'Probability' questions on the GMAT almost always include the word "probability" in the prompt. Here, the phrase "least possible value" means "smallest value that you can possibly end with given the restrictions in the prompt" (it does NOT mean "least likely value"). As you continue to practice with Official materials, you'll get a better sense of the 'style' that GMAT writers use (and that familiarity will lead to certain advantages on Test Day).
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
GMAT writers are never trying to 'trick' you, so 'Probability' questions on the GMAT almost always include the word "probability" in the prompt. Here, the phrase "least possible value" means "smallest value that you can possibly end with given the restrictions in the prompt" (it does NOT mean "least likely value"). As you continue to practice with Official materials, you'll get a better sense of the 'style' that GMAT writers use (and that familiarity will lead to certain advantages on Test Day).
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
ScottTargetTestPrep
Expert
Target Test Prep Representative
Joined: 14 Oct 2015
Last visit: 09 Sep 2026
Posts: 22,736
Status:Founder & CEO
Affiliations: Target Test Prep
Location: United States (CA)
Expert reply
Posts: 22,736
Bunuel
To solve this question, we must make sure we interpret it correctly. We are not finding the least possible value of y, but rather the least possible value of |23-5y| (the absolute value of 23 – 5y). Remember that the smallest value that can result from taking the absolute value is zero. Thus we need to make 23 - 5y as close to zero as possible.
We know that 5y is a multiple of 5, so let’s first look at the multiples of 5 closest to 23. We have “20” and “25”. Let’s subtract both of these from 23 and see which one produces the smallest result. When 5y = 20, y is 4 and when 5y = 25, y is 5. Let’s start with letting y = 4.
|23-5(4)|
|23-20|
|3| = 3
Next, let’s let y equal 5.
|23-5(5)|
|23-25|
|-2| = 2
We see that the smallest possible value of |23-5y| is 2.
Answer B.
Another approach to solving this problem is to see what value of y makes the expression 23 – 5y equal to 0:
23 – 5y = 0
23 = 5y
y = 4.6
However, we know that y must be an integer, so we round y = 4.6 to y = 5.
We then plug the value 5 for y into the absolute value equation, as was done earlier, yielding the same answer of 2, which is answer choice B.
_________________
Scott Woodbury-Stewart | Founder and
CEO |
[email protected]
See why Target Test Prep is the top rated GMAT course on GMAT Club. Read Our Reviews
Posts: 6,727
Bunuel
Another approach is to check each answer choice to see if it COULD be the smallest possible value of |23 - 5y|
Let's start with answer choice A, since it is the smallest answer.
A) 1
Is it possible that |23 - 5y| = 1 if y MUST BE AN INTEGER?
Let's solve it.
If |23 - 5y| = 1, then 23 - 5y = 1 or 23 - 5y = -1
Take 23 - 5y = 1 and subtract 23 from both sides to get: -5y = -22
Solve to get: y = 4.4 NOT an integer
Take 23 - 5y = -1 and subtract 23 from both sides to get: -5y = -24
Solve to get: y = 4.8 NOT an integer
So, if y is an INTEGER, it's IMPOSSIBLE for |23 - 5y| to equal 1
ELIMINATE A
B) 2
Is it possible that |23 - 5y| = 2 if y MUST BE AN INTEGER?
Let's solve it.
If |23 - 5y| = 2, then 23 - 5y = 2 or 23 - 5y = -2
Take 23 - 5y = 2 and subtract 23 from both sides to get: -5y = -21
Solve to get: y = 4.2 NOT an integer
Take 23 - 5y = -2 and subtract 23 from both sides to get: -5y = -25
Solve to get: y = 5 AN INTEGER
AHA! It IS POSSIBLE for |23 - 5y| to equal 2
Answer: B
sujoykrdatta
Expert
Tutor
Joined: 26 Jun 2014
Last visit: 23 Aug 2026
Posts: 598
Status:Mentor & Coach | GMAT Q51 | CAT 99.98
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V39
Expert reply
GMAT 1: 750 Q51 V39
Posts: 598
Bunuel
We need to make (23 - 5y) as close to '0' as possible
23 - 5y = 0
=> y = 4.6
However, y is an integer
Thus, we need to work with y = 4 or 5, whichever makes 23 - 5y closer to '0'
For y = 4: 23 - 5y = 3 => |23 - 5y| = 3
For y = 5: 23 - 5y = -2 => |23 - 5y| = 2
Thus, the minimum value of |23 - 5y| = 2
Answer B
_________________
Sujoy Kr Datta | GMAT classic 750 (Q51) | CAT 99.99 | Mentor & Coach | IIT Kgp alum
Personalized Tutoring: one-on-one / in-group | Recorded Course hosted on Topmate
1. Recorded GMAT course with 8 month access & support (DM for access)
2. Live sessions for GMAT & GRE
40 hrs of live classes | 2000+ questions | 15 Mocks | Doubt clearing | Mock analysis
Email: sujoy.datta@gmail | WhatsApp: +919433063089
Personalized Tutoring: one-on-one / in-group | Recorded Course hosted on Topmate
1. Recorded GMAT course with 8 month access & support (DM for access)
2. Live sessions for GMAT & GRE
40 hrs of live classes | 2000+ questions | 15 Mocks | Doubt clearing | Mock analysis
Email: sujoy.datta@gmail | WhatsApp: +919433063089
GMATCoachBen
Expert
Tutor
Joined: 21 Mar 2017
Last visit: 09 Sep 2026
Posts: 462
Status:Professional GMAT Trainer
Affiliations: GMAT Coach
Location: United States (WA)
GMAT Focus 1: 775 Q87 V90 DI88 (Online) 
GMAT 1: 760 Q50 V44
GMAT 2: 770 Q51 V44
GMAT 3: 770 Q50 V44
GMAT 4: 770 Q50 V45 (Online)
GMAT 5: 780 Q51 V48
Expert reply
Bunuel
First, make sure we understand what it's asking for — "the least possible value of |23 - 5y|"
In general, it can be helpful to visualize |A - B| as "the distance between A and B on a number line". Therefore, our next step is to figure out the value of "5y" that is closest to "23" (see below for illustration).
Also, note that the absolute value cannot be negative. So, we are looking for the value of |23 - 5y| that is closest to zero.
We could make a full table, but the easiest way is to think of multiples of 5 that are closest to 23 ("5y" must be a multiple of 5, since y is an integer).
What happens if we plug in "20" and "25" for the "5y"?
|23 - 20| = 3
|23 - 25| = |-2| = 2
Key Habit for Trap Avoidance: We must always read carefully and double-check what it's asking for before confirming our answer.
18% of people get trapped by "E" on this question, because the correct value for "y" is indeed "5". However, the question asks for "the least possible value of |23 - 5y|".
Attachments
2021-11-11 20_24_13-Number line diagram - OneNote.png [ 36.37 KiB | Viewed 33975 times ]
_________________
I offer a limited number of free strategy sessions for students considering personalized GMAT or GRE coaching. Apply here: GMATcoach.com/trial
We’ll pinpoint your biggest score barriers and map out a clear plan to reach your target score.
I've been a full-time GMAT / GRE tutor since 2016.
We’ll pinpoint your biggest score barriers and map out a clear plan to reach your target score.
I've been a full-time GMAT / GRE tutor since 2016.
Given that y is an integer and we need to find the least possible value of |23 - 5y|
Now, |23 - 5y| is Absolute Value/Modulus of a number and we know that Absolute Value of any number is always ≥ 0
=> Minimum value of |23 - 5y| will be close to zero
=> 23 - 5y should be close to 0
Since, y is an integer so let's take value of y in such a way that 23 - 5y is closer to 0
For y = 4
=> 23 - 5y = 23 - 5*4 = 3
For y = 5
=> 23 - 5y = 23 - 5*5 = -2
-2 is closer to 0 than 3
=> Minimum value of |23 - 5y| = |-2| = 2 (when y = 5)
So, Answer will be B
Hope it helps!
Watch the following video to learn How to Solve Absolute Value Problems
_________________
Now, |23 - 5y| is Absolute Value/Modulus of a number and we know that Absolute Value of any number is always ≥ 0
=> Minimum value of |23 - 5y| will be close to zero
=> 23 - 5y should be close to 0
Since, y is an integer so let's take value of y in such a way that 23 - 5y is closer to 0
For y = 4
=> 23 - 5y = 23 - 5*4 = 3
For y = 5
=> 23 - 5y = 23 - 5*5 = -2
-2 is closer to 0 than 3
=> Minimum value of |23 - 5y| = |-2| = 2 (when y = 5)
So, Answer will be B
Hope it helps!
Watch the following video to learn How to Solve Absolute Value Problems
_________________
How to Solve :
All Quant Topics Theory || Last Two Digits of Exponents Ending with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 || Units' Digit Problems || Even and Odd || Divisibility Rules || Positive and Negative || Absolute Value Basics || Inequalities || Absolute Value + Inequality || Functions and Custom Characters || LCM & GCD || Remainders || Factors and Multiples || Arithmetic and Geometric Progression || Co-ordinate Geometry || Circles || Probability: Coin Toss || Work Rate || Statistics || Stem & Leaf Plot || Box And Whisker Plot
GMAT Club Topic Wise Problems
All Quant Topics Theory || Last Two Digits of Exponents Ending with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 || Units' Digit Problems || Even and Odd || Divisibility Rules || Positive and Negative || Absolute Value Basics || Inequalities || Absolute Value + Inequality || Functions and Custom Characters || LCM & GCD || Remainders || Factors and Multiples || Arithmetic and Geometric Progression || Co-ordinate Geometry || Circles || Probability: Coin Toss || Work Rate || Statistics || Stem & Leaf Plot || Box And Whisker Plot
GMAT Club Topic Wise Problems
If y is an integer, then the least possible value of |23 - 5y| is
Let x = |23 - 5y|, we know that due to the modulus operator, the minimum value of x could be zero
=> x= 0
=> |23-5y| = 0
=> 23-5y=0
=> y= 23/5 or 4.6 but because y is any integer, it can not take the value of 4.6.
Therefore, we will do hit and trial for the minimum value of x with keeping y=4 and y=5
Case I y=4
=> x = |23 - 5*4| = |23 - 20| = 3
Case II y=5
=> x = |23 - 5*5| = |23 - 25| = 2
Hence the minimum value is 2
Answer B
Let x = |23 - 5y|, we know that due to the modulus operator, the minimum value of x could be zero
=> x= 0
=> |23-5y| = 0
=> 23-5y=0
=> y= 23/5 or 4.6 but because y is any integer, it can not take the value of 4.6.
Therefore, we will do hit and trial for the minimum value of x with keeping y=4 and y=5
Case I y=4
=> x = |23 - 5*4| = |23 - 20| = 3
Case II y=5
=> x = |23 - 5*5| = |23 - 25| = 2
Hence the minimum value is 2
Answer B
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V42
Posts: 469
Moderator:
Announcements
Tuck at Dartmouth
AI at Dartmouth Tuck: How the School Is Preparing Leaders for the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Inside the courses, research, and hands-on learning defining wise, decisive leadership in an AI-driven world.
Read More
Inside the courses, research, and hands-on learning defining wise, decisive leadership in an AI-driven world.
Read More
Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos
Success stories and strategies from high-scoring candidates.