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The last question is an excellent illustration
of the power of backdoor strategies—a challenging Number Properties
question cut down to size via Picking Numbers.
However, as useful as Picking Numbers is on Number
Properties questions, a solid grasp of Number Properties rules and definitions
is essential for success on the most challenging questions. On difficult
Number Properties problems, an understanding of the concept, or the rule,
behind the question is often the means to a faster solution. In fact,
the use of such rules is sometimes necessary to the solution.
There are two prerequisites to using Number Properties
rules successfully:
1. Knowledge of Number Properties rules and
definitions
2. The ability to identify 'the question behind the question'—the
Number Properties rule(s) that is being tested
Fortunately, Number Properties rules are simple
and absolute. If you can identify the rule being tested by using the clues
provided in the question stem, you can get through the toughest questions
quickly and accurately.
Let's see some examples
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