Prime and Composite Numbers
Help Questions
SSAT Upper Level: Quantitative › Prime and Composite Numbers
How many prime numbers are there between $$2^6$$ and $$2^6 + 20$$, inclusive?
2
3
4
5
Explanation
First, $$2^6 = 64$$, so we need primes between 64 and 84, inclusive. Let's check each number systematically: 67 (prime), 71 (prime), 73 (prime), 79 (prime), 83 (prime). All other numbers in this range are composite. For example: 64 = $$2^6$$, 65 = 5×13, 69 = 3×23, 77 = 7×11, 81 = $$3^4$$. Therefore, there are exactly 5 prime numbers in this range.
The sum of two prime numbers is 30. If one of the primes is greater than 20, how many such pairs of primes are possible?
1
2
3
4
Explanation
Let the two primes be $$p$$ and $$q$$ where $$p + q = 30$$ and one prime is greater than 20. The primes greater than 20 and less than 30 are: 23, 29. If $$p = 23$$, then $$q = 30 - 23 = 7$$, and 7 is prime. If $$p = 29$$, then $$q = 30 - 29 = 1$$, but 1 is not considered prime. Therefore, there is only one pair: (23, 7). Choice B would suggest there are 2 pairs, but the second possibility doesn't work. Choices C and D overcount non-existent pairs.
If $$n$$ is the smallest positive integer such that $$2n + 1$$ is composite, what is the value of $$2n + 1$$?
9
15
21
25
Explanation
We need to find the smallest positive integer $$n$$ such that $$2n + 1$$ is composite. Let's check values: For $$n = 1$$: $$2(1) + 1 = 3$$ (prime). For $$n = 2$$: $$2(2) + 1 = 5$$ (prime). For $$n = 3$$: $$2(3) + 1 = 7$$ (prime). For $$n = 4$$: $$2(4) + 1 = 9 = 3^2$$ (composite). So the smallest value of $$n$$ is 4, making $$2n + 1 = 9$$. Choice B (15) corresponds to $$n = 7$$, choice C (21) to $$n = 10$$, and choice D (25) to $$n = 12$$, all of which are larger than $$n = 4$$.
A positive integer $$k$$ has the property that both $$k$$ and $$k + 2$$ are prime. If $$k > 3$$, how many possible values of $$k$$ are there less than 50?
3
4
5
6
Explanation
We're looking for twin prime pairs where both $$k$$ and $$k + 2$$ are prime, with $$3 < k < 50$$. The twin prime pairs in this range are: (5,7), (11,13), (17,19), (29,31), and (41,43). Therefore, the possible values of $$k$$ are: 5, 11, 17, 29, and 41. This gives us exactly 5 possible values.
If $$m = 2^3 \cdot 3^2 \cdot 5$$ and $$n = 2^2 \cdot 3 \cdot 7$$, what can be concluded about $$m + n$$?
$$m + n$$ is composite because $$m + n = 444$$, which has multiple factors
$$m + n$$ is always prime regardless of the values
$$m + n$$ is always composite since both $$m$$ and $$n$$ are composite
$$m + n$$ could be either prime or composite depending on other factors
Explanation
First, let's calculate $$m$$ and $$n$$: $$m = 2^3 \cdot 3^2 \cdot 5 = 8 \cdot 9 \cdot 5 = 360$$ and $$n = 2^2 \cdot 3 \cdot 7 = 4 \cdot 3 \cdot 7 = 84$$. Therefore, $$m + n = 360 + 84 = 444$$. Since $$444 = 4 \cdot 111 = 4 \cdot 3 \cdot 37 = 12 \cdot 37$$, we see that 444 is composite. Choice A is wrong because we have specific values, not a general statement. Choice B is incorrect because the sum of composite numbers isn't necessarily composite. Choice D is wrong because we can determine the exact nature of this specific sum.
Which of the following statements about the number 91 is true?
91 is prime because it is not divisible by any integer from 2 to 9
91 is composite because it is divisible by 3
91 is prime because it is not divisible by 2, 3, 5, or 7
91 is composite because it equals 7 × 13
Explanation
To determine if 91 is prime or composite, we need to check for factors. $$91 = 7 \times 13$$, so 91 is composite. Choice A is incorrect because checking divisibility by 2, 3, 5, 7 is insufficient - we need to check all primes up to $$\sqrt{91} \approx 9.5$$, and 91 is divisible by 7. Choice C is wrong because 91 IS divisible by 7 (and 7 is between 2 and 9). Choice D is incorrect because 91 is not divisible by 3 (sum of digits: 9 + 1 = 10, which is not divisible by 3). The correct answer is B because $$7 \times 13 = 91$$.
A number $$N$$ has exactly 6 positive divisors. If $$N = 2^a \cdot 3^b$$ where $$a$$ and $$b$$ are non-negative integers, and $$N > 12$$, what is the smallest possible value of $$N$$?
18
20
32
36
Explanation
If $$N = 2^a \cdot 3^b$$, then the number of divisors is $$(a+1)(b+1) = 6$$. The factor pairs of 6 are (1,6), (2,3), (3,2), and (6,1), giving us $$(a,b) = (0,5), (1,2), (2,1), (5,0)$$. The corresponding values are: $$N = 3^5 = 243$$, $$N = 2^1 \cdot 3^2 = 18$$, $$N = 2^2 \cdot 3^1 = 12$$, and $$N = 2^5 = 32$$. Since $$N > 12$$, we exclude $$N = 12$$. Among the remaining candidates (18, 32, 243), the smallest is 18.
If $$n$$ is a positive integer such that $$n^2 + n + 41$$ is composite, what is the smallest possible value of $$n$$?
40
41
80
81
Explanation
We need to find when $$n^2 + n + 41$$ is composite. Let's test values systematically. When $$n = 40$$: $$40^2 + 40 + 41 = 1600 + 40 + 41 = 1681 = 41^2$$, which is composite. We can verify that for smaller values like $$n = 39$$: $$39^2 + 39 + 41 = 1521 + 39 + 41 = 1601$$, which is prime. Choice B (41) gives $$41^2 + 41 + 41 = 41(41 + 1 + 1) = 41 imes 43$$, which is also composite, but 41 > 40. Choice C (80) gives a composite number but is larger than 40. Choice D (81) also works but is larger.