Exponent and Cube Root Divisibility Condition

XAT 2025 · Quantitative Ability & Data Interpretation · Medium · Number System

If a,ba, b, and cc are all positive integers, with 4a>b4a > b, then which of the following conditions is BOTH NECESSARY AND SUFFICIENT for the expression (3)a(21)(3a−b)(49)(2b+c)3\sqrt[3]{(3)^a (21)^{(3a-b)} (49)^{(2b+c)}} to be a positive integer?

  1. A.

    a - b + 2c is divisible by 3

  2. B.

    None of the other conditions is both necessary and sufficient

  3. C.

    a, b, and c are divisible by 3

  4. D.

    a - b = c

  5. E.

    (a - b) and c are divisible by 3

Answer

E

Explanation

Simplify the expression under the cube root: (3)a(3⋅7)(3a−b)(72)(2b+c)=3a+3a−b⋅73a−b+4b+2c=34a−b⋅73a+3b+2c(3)^a (3 \cdot 7)^{(3a-b)} (7^2)^{(2b+c)} = 3^{a + 3a - b} \cdot 7^{3a - b + 4b + 2c} = 3^{4a - b} \cdot 7^{3a + 3b + 2c}.

For the cube root 34a−b⋅73a+3b+2c3\sqrt[3]{3^{4a-b} \cdot 7^{3a+3b+2c}} to be an integer, the exponents of prime factors 3 and 7 must be multiples of 3:

  1. 4a−b=3a+(a−b)4a - b = 3a + (a - b) is a multiple of 3  ⟹  a−b3 \implies a - b must be a multiple of 3.
  2. 3a+3b+2c=3(a+b)+2c3a + 3b + 2c = 3(a + b) + 2c is a multiple of 3  ⟹  2c3 \implies 2c must be a multiple of 3  ⟹  c3 \implies c must be a multiple of 3.

Thus, (a−b)(a - b) and cc being divisible by 3 is both necessary and sufficient.

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