GMAT Paper test code#37, Section 1, Ques#4

[rahul.gmat]

If n is a prime number greater than 3, what is the remainder when n is divided by 12?
0
1
2
3
5

n can be 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 23, 29 etc which give remainders 5, 7, 11, 1, 5, 11, 5 etc.

Since 7 and 11 are not there in the options these are eliminated, but aren't 1 (13/12) and 5 (5/12, 17/12, 20/12) both possible answers.

The answer given is (B) i.e. 1. Isn't this ques errornous... but its an actual GMAT question from a retired paper test available on mba.com
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[dbernst]

Rahul,

The question, as written, is definitely erroneous. The remainder when dividing a prime > 2 by 12 could be 1 (n=13), 5 (n=17), 7 (n=31), or 11 (n=23). The remainder could not be even (since n, by definition, cannot be even), and it could not be 3 or 9 (since 12 is a multiple of 3, n would have to be a multiple of 3 to yield a remainder of 3 or 9). Additionally, the phrasing "what is the remainder?" on the GMAT would indicate that there is only one possible remainder. We cannot simply "eliminate" 7 and 11 because they are not offered as answer choices.

Either the question has a misprint (most likely), you have read and copied it incorrectly (unlikely), or both you and I have lost all our GMAT senses (actually, at least as far as I am concerned, quite possible!)

-dan

Posted: 12 Jun 2007 12:01 pm Post subject: GMAT Paper test code#37, Section 1, Ques#4

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If n is a prime number greater than 3, what is the remainder when n is divided by 12?
0
1
2
3
5

n can be 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 23, 29 etc which give remainders 5, 7, 11, 1, 5, 11, 5 etc.

Since 7 and 11 are not there in the options these are eliminated, but aren't 1 (13/12) and 5 (5/12, 17/12, 20/12) both possible answers.

The answer given is (B) i.e. 1. Isn't this ques errornous... but its an actual GMAT question from a retired paper test available on mba.com

[dbernst]

Rahul,

I contacted my anonymous sources deep inside the covert GIA (GMAT Intelligency Agency), and was informed that the original question asked What is the remainder when n^2 is divided by 12?

-dan

ps If anyone asks you, both this email and I do not exist :)

[Guest]

Thanks a lot Dan, like always you have been a great help. I checked and rechecked the question, its a misprint says "n" instead of "n^2".

Would like to meet your sources though ...haha?

Take care and thanx again.

Also, I wanted to ask, does Manahattan have admission counselling services like Princeton review or Kaplans. And also will these services be available in India?

[dbernst]

Currently, Manhattan GMAT is solely focues on helping our students achieve their goal scores (or better!) on the GMAT. We do periodically work or co-sponsor events with certain MBA admissions consultancies, but I'm uncertain which ones provide international services (though my assumption is that most do). For specific suggestions/recommendations you might send a post to "student services," "ask an admissions consultant," or "business schools." My guess is someone who views your post will be more knowledgeable than I about specific consulting firms.

-dan