Last visit was: 30 Dec 2024, 07:58 It is currently 30 Dec 2024, 07:58

Close

GRE Prep 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

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GRE score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.

Close

Request Expert Reply

Confirm Cancel
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2015
Posts: 6218
Own Kudos [?]: 12239 [7]
Given Kudos: 136
Send PM
Retired Moderator
Joined: 10 Apr 2015
Posts: 6218
Own Kudos [?]: 12239 [3]
Given Kudos: 136
Send PM
avatar
Manager
Manager
Joined: 23 Dec 2019
Posts: 50
Own Kudos [?]: 47 [3]
Given Kudos: 0
Concentration: Finance, Economics
GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V38
GRE 1: Q165 V155
Send PM
avatar
Manager
Manager
Joined: 23 Dec 2019
Posts: 50
Own Kudos [?]: 47 [2]
Given Kudos: 0
Concentration: Finance, Economics
GMAT 1: 690 Q47 V38
GRE 1: Q165 V155
Send PM
Re: If integer x is chosen at random from 50 to 149 inclusive, w [#permalink]
2
BelalHossain wrote:
Here, x³ - x = x(x² - 1) = x(x + 1)(x - 1) = (x - 1)(x)(x + 1)
= Product of 3 consecutive integers.


And Product of 3 consecutive integers are always divisible by 3! i.e. 6. Now the question becomes-Whether any of the numbers is divisible by 4 as well?


Now check some numbers: [Rule of thumbs: check 4 cases for these probability type questions. If still confused, check 8 cases ]

(a) 49*50*51= NOT divisible by 12, coz no one is divisible by 4 (Here x=50, so x-1=49, x+1=51)
(b) 50*51*52= YES. it is divisible by 12, coz 52 is divisible by 4.
(c) 51*52*53= YES. it is divisible by 12, coz 52 is divisible by 4.
(d) 52*53*54= YES. it is divisible by 12, coz 52 is divisible by 4.

Here we can see that out of every 4 cases, 3 cases are divisible by 4. So 75% probability. so Answer is 0.75



Still NOT convinced? , Check next 4 cases

(a) 53*54*55= NOT divisible by 12, coz no one is divisible by 4
(b) 54*55*56= YES. it is divisible by 12, coz 56 is divisible by 4.
(c) 55*56*57= YES. it is divisible by 12, coz 56 is divisible by 4.
(d) 56*57*58= YES. it is divisible by 12, coz 56 is divisible by 4.

So, whatever the starting point, out of every 4 cases of product of 3 consecutive integers, 3 cases are divisible by 4 (consequently by 12). So 75% probability. so Answer is 0.75[/quote]
Intern
Intern
Joined: 12 Jun 2020
Posts: 8
Own Kudos [?]: 29 [1]
Given Kudos: 159
Send PM
If integer x is chosen at random from 50 to 149 inclusive, w [#permalink]
1
Bookmarks
GreenlightTestPrep wrote:
If integer x is chosen at random from 50 to 149 inclusive, what is the probability that x³ - x is a multiple of 12?

Enter your answer as a fraction

Note: One of my students asked me to solve this question. I thought I'd post it here, so that others can try it as well.

Show: ::
3/4



Here, simplify the stem as: x(x^2−1) = (x - 1)*x*(x + 1)

means we have 3 consecutive numbers; in any series of 3 consecutive numbers, it always divisible by: 3.

Now since it can be any number from 50 to 149 then consider this case one ass EVEN number and other as ODD number i.e.

1. If x is odd (x = 51, 53, 55, ... 147, 149)

(even)(odd)(even)
(x - 1)x(x + 1)

SO The total number of ODD Integers in that range of the stem (divisible by 3)

149 = 51 + (x-1)*2 or x = 50


2. if x is even (x = 50, 52, 54, 56,......, 144, 146, 148)

(odd)(even)(odd)
(c - 1)c(c + 1)

Since we have 2 odd numbers and they are consecutive nos. so anyone will be divisible by 3, but now are concerned about the even number, which must be only divisible by 4, because say, 58 though even but (odd*58*odd) is not divisible by 4, so the question to satisfy only even multiple of 4 is to be considered

so The total Numbers of even integers (divisible by 4)

148 = 52 + (x-1)4 or x = 25

Now the probability = (50+25)/100=75/100=3/4=0.75
Verbal Expert
Joined: 18 Apr 2015
Posts: 30554
Own Kudos [?]: 36906 [0]
Given Kudos: 26108
Send PM
Re: If integer x is chosen at random from 50 to 149 inclusive, w [#permalink]
Expert Reply
Bump for further discussion
Prep Club for GRE Bot
Re: If integer x is chosen at random from 50 to 149 inclusive, w [#permalink]
Moderators:
GRE Instructor
88 posts
GRE Forum Moderator
37 posts
Moderator
1116 posts
GRE Instructor
234 posts

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne