Is the positive integer x divisible by 12?Statement 1:x is divisible b...
Step 1: Understand the Question Stem
What kind of an answer will the question fetch?
The question is an "Is" question. Answer to an "is" questions is either YES or NO.
When is the data sufficient?
The data is sufficient if we are able to get a DEFINITE YES or a DEFINITE NO from the information given in the statements.
What is the test of divisibility for 12?
The test of divisibility for 12 is that the number should be divisible by both 3 and 4. Essentially, x should be divisible by 3 and 22.
Step 2: Evaluate Statement (1) ALONE: x is divisible by 6
Approach: Look for a counter example
Example: x = 6. It is divisible by 6. However, it is NOT divisible by 12.
Counter Example: x = 12. It is divisible by 6. It is divisible by 12 as well.
Knowing that x is divisible by 6 is not enough to answer the question.
If x is divisible by 6, we can infer that it is divisible by 3 and 2. But we cannot deduce whether it is also divisible by 22 - which is essential to deduce that x is divisible by 12.
Statement 1 ALONE is NOT sufficient.
Eliminate choices A and D. Choices narrow down to B, C, or E.
Step 3: Evaluate Statement (2) ALONE: x is divisible by 8
If x is divisible by 8, then x will definitely be divisible by 4.
However, from statement (2) alone we do not know if x is divisible by 3.
Alternative Approach: Look for a counter example
Example: x = 8. It is divisible by 8. However, it is NOT divisible by 12.
Counter Example:x = 24. It is divisible by 8. It is divisible by 12 as well.
Knowing that x is divisible by 8 is not enough to answer the question.
Statement 2 ALONE is NOT sufficient.
Eliminate choice B. Choices narrow down to C or E.
Step 4: Evaluate Statements (1) & (2) Together: x is divisible by 6 & x is divisible by 8
From statement 1, if x is divisible by 6, it is definitely divisible by 3.
From statement 2, if x is divisible by 8, it is definitely divisible by 4.
So, by combining the two statements, we can conclude that x is divisible by 3 and by 4.
Or that x is divisible by 12.
Statement TOGETHER are sufficient. Choice C is the answer.