PrepLattice is an independent test-preparation service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by GMAC, the organization that administers the GMAT. GMAT and GMAT Focus are trademarks of GMAC, used here only to name the exam this question is designed to prepare you for.
A baker packs muffins into gift boxes, and each box holds exactly 6 muffins with none left over. Which of the following could be the total number of muffins the baker packs?
Five fresh questions every day, your progress tracked, every miss explained. Free with an account.
Correct answer
E
A total that packs evenly into boxes of 6 must be a multiple of 6, which means it needs both a factor of 2 and a factor of 3. Check each candidate for both factors rather than guessing from appearance.
48 = 6 × 8, so it has both a factor of 2 and a factor of 3, choice (E).
The wrong choices are built to punish checking only one of the two factors. (B) 44 = 2 × 2 × 11 is even but has no factor of 3. (D) 46 = 2 × 23 is also even but likewise has no factor of 3. (C) 45 = 3 × 3 × 5 has a factor of 3 but is odd, so it has no factor of 2. (A) 40 ends in a zero, which can look like a friendly, evenly divisible number, but 40 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 5 has no factor of 3.
Being even, or ending in a round digit, does not make a number a multiple of 6. Confirm both prime factors, 2 and 3, before accepting a total: 48.
Pick the theme that suits how you work. You can change it anytime.