CAT 1991QA Question 44

Number TheoryEasy
Passage / Data

Answer the following questions based on the information given below:

There were a hundred schools in a town. Of these, the number of schools having a play – ground was 30, and these schools had neither a library nor a laboratory. The number of schools having a laboratory alone was twice the number of those having a library only. The number of schools having a laboratory as  well as a library was one fourth the number of those having a laboratory alone. The number of schools  having either a laboratory or a library or both was 35.

If x is a positive integer such that 2x + 12 is perfectly divisible by x, then the number of possible values of x is

Answer & solution

  • A

    2

  • B

    5

  • 6

  • D

    12

Solution

 If (2x + 12) is perfectly divisible by x, then (2x + 12)/x has to be an integer.

Now if we divide, the expression simplifies to (2 + 12/x).

The only way in which this expression would be an integer is when 12/x is an integer or if 12 is perfectly divisible by x. [i.e., x is a factor of 12]

This is possible if x takes either of these values : 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12. Hence the answer is 6 values.

Hence, option (c).

CAT 1991 QA Q44: If x is a positive integer such that 2x + 12 is perfectly divisible by x, then the number of possible values o — Solution | TheCATExam