Bodhee Prep-Online CAT Coaching | Online CAT Preparation | CAT Online Courses

Get 30% OFF on CAT Crash Course. Code: LASTLAP. Course starts from 18th Sept Enroll Now

CAT 2019 Quant Question with Solution 65

Question:
If $5^{x}-3^{y}=13438$ and $5^{x-1}+3^{y+1}=9686,$ then x+y equals

Show Answer

Correct Answer: 13

Taking $2^{n d}$ equation

$5^{x-1}+3^{y+1}=9686$, the last digit of $5^{x-1}$ will always be 5 for all positive integral values of x

The power cycle of 3 is:

$3^{4 k+1} \equiv 3$

$3^{4 k+2} \equiv 9$

$3^{4 k+3} \equiv 7$

$3^{4 k} \equiv 1$

Clearly $3^{y+1}$ must be in the form of $3^{4 k}$ as the unit digit of R.H.S. =6

We have ${{3}^{4}}=81,\text{and}\ {{3}^{8}}=6561$

Also, $9686-81=9605$and $9686-6561=3125$

Observe that $3125=5^{5}$

Hence $5^{x-1}=5^{5}$

or $x=6$ and $3^{y+1}=3^{8} \Rightarrow y=7$

(x=6 and y=7 also satisfies the first equation)

Therefore, $x+y=6+7=13$


CAT Online Course
Also Check: 841+ CAT Quant Questions with Solutions

CAT 2019 Slot-1


CAT 2019 Slot-2

CAT online Courses

CAT 2023 Mock Test Series

  • 400+ Topic Tests
  • 45 Sectional tests
  • 20 Mock Tests (Video Solutions)
  • Only at INR 2499

20% Discount Code: GET20

FREE CAT Prep Whatsapp Group

CAT 2023 Online Course at affordable price