CHAPTER 20

Number Properties on the GMAT

Learning Objectives

After studying this chapter, you will be able to: 

• Describe the properties of numbers that are commonly tested on the GMAT
• Identify questions that involve number properties
• Apply the Kaplan Methods for Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency to a variety of questions that deal with number properties

Below is a typical Data Sufficiency question dealing with number properties. In this chapter, we’ll look at how to apply the Kaplan Method to this question, discuss the number properties rules being tested, and go over the basic principles and strategies that you want to keep in mind on every Quantitative question involving number properties.

1. Each of the 600 elements of Set X is a distinct integer. How many of the integers in Set X are positive odd integers?
   1. Set X contains 150 even integers.
   2. 70 percent of the odd integers in Set X are positive.

Before you move on, take a minute to think about what you see in this question and answer some questions about how you think it works:

• What does it mean that each of the elements is a distinct integer?
• How are integers related to even and odd numbers?
• How are positive integers different from non-negative integers?
• What GMAT Core Competencies are most essential to success on this question?