LM wrote:
If y is a positive integer, is y prime?
(1) y > 4!
(2) 11! - 12 < y < 11! - 2
(1) y > 4!
(2) 11! - 12 < y < 11! - 2
Target question: is y prime?
Statement 1: y > 4!
In other words, y > 24
This does not help us determine whether or not y is prime. Consider these two conflicting cases:
Case a: y = 29, in which case y IS prime
Case b: y = 25, in which case y is NOT prime
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT
Statement 2: 11! 12 < y < 11! 2
Let's examine a few possible values for y.
y = 11! 11
y = (11)(10)(9)....(5)(4)(3)(2)(1) - 11
y = 11[(10)(9)....(5)(4)(3)(1) - 1]
Since y is a multiple of 11, y is NOT prime
y = 11! 10
y = (11)(10)(9)....(5)(4)(3)(2)(1) - 10
y = 10[(11)(9)....(5)(4)(3)(1) - 1]
Since y is a multiple of 10, y is NOT prime
y = 11! 9
y = (11)(10)(9)....(5)(4)(3)(2)(1) - 9
y = 9[(11)(10)....(5)(4)(3)(1) - 1]
Since y is a multiple of 9, y is NOT prime
As you can see, this pattern can be repeated all the way up to y = 11! - 1. In EVERY case, y is NOT prime
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is SUFFICIENT
Answer: B
Cheers,
Brent