lazyashell wrote:
x and n are positive integers, such that
7x = 10^n – 1. What is the 99th smallest possible value of n?
I think this question is beyond the scope of the GRE.
First of all, it requires knowledge of the divisibility rule for 7, which I've never seen tested on the GRE.
The idea here is that, if n is a multiple of 6, then
10^n – 1 is a multiple of 7.
So, for example, if n = 6, then
10^n – 1 is a multiple of 7
Likewise, if n = 12, then
10^n – 1 is a multiple of 7.
And, if n = 18, then
10^n – 1 is a multiple of 7.
.
.
.
etc
Since n = 6 the SMALLEST value of n that yields a multiple of 7 in the form
10^n – 1, then n = (99)(6) will be the 99th smallest value of n that yields a multiple of 7.