CAT & MBA Question of the day (09-Jan-14)

Question of the Day (09-Jan-14)

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There are six distinct prime numbers, A to F, between 3 & 41 (both excluded). The sum of A and D is a perfect square while the sum of A and F is 24. The sum of B and D is a perfect square and the same is true for C and E. What is the square of sum of all six numbers? OPTIONS 1) 8836 2) 9216 3) 3696 4) Cannot be determined

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Solution Since the given prime numbers are between 3 and 41 (both excluded), they can take any prime value from 5 to 37 i.e. 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31 or 37. A + D = perfect square; B + D = perfect square; C + E = perfect square; A + F = 24 The maximum sum of any two of these six numbers is 37 + 31 = 68 while the minimum sum is 5 + 7 = 12. Thus, the possible squares that satisfy the given conditions are 16, 25, 36, 49 and 64. Since all six primes are odd, the sum of any two of them has to be even. So, the only possible squares are 16, 36 and 64. However, 64 cannot be represented as the sum of any two primes from the given set. Now, 16 and 36 can be represented as a sum of two primes from the given set as: 16 = 5 + 11 36 = 5 + 31 = 7 + 29 = 13 + 23 = 17 + 19 Now, (A + D) is a perfect square and so is (B + D). Thus, one sum is 16 and the other is 36 (in no specific order). These two sums need to be obtained such that one term is common to both (as D is common in both sums) 16 = 11 + 5 and 36 = 31 + 5 D=5 So, A can either be 31 or 11. However, A + F = 24 Hence, A = 11, F = 13 and B = 31 C + E is also a perfect square. Since all six numbers are distinct, C cannot be 5 or 11. C + E = 36 A + B + C + D + E + F = A + B + D + F + (C + E) = 11 + 31 + 5 + 13 + 36 = 96 962 = 9216 (A + B + C + D + E + F )2 = 962 = 9216 Hence, option 2. Note: Since the value of square of sum of all six numbers is needed, the individual value of C and E need not be found. However, you can verify that C and E can be (17, 19) or (29, 7), in any order.

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15-01-2014 23:50