If and are consecutive positive integers, in the same order, which of the following expressions must be odd?
I.
II.
III.
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I got III is always odd, but for I and II I'm stuck. Can someone explain the parity for those?
For II, think about when w is even vs odd. If w is even, w^x is even, and z^y parity depends on z. If w is odd, w^x is odd, so z^y must be even to sum to odd? Actually, try small numbers like 1,2,3,4.
Thanks, I'll try plugging in consecutive integers. I think I see it now.
This one is tricky! I initially missed that z*(y+2)^2 is always even because (y+2)^2 is even when y is even and odd when y is odd, but z's parity flips accordingly. So I is odd?
Actually, check: if y is even, then y+2 is even, so (y+2)^2 is even. If y is odd, y+2 is odd, so (y+2)^2 is odd. And z is one more than y, so z's parity is opposite to y. So z*(y+2)^2 is always even. So I reduces to w^x parity.
Oh right, so then w^x is odd only when w is odd. So I is not always odd. Got it.
Is the answer E? I got II and III always odd, but not I.
Yeah, I think so. For II, if w is even, w^x is even, z is odd, so z^y is odd, sum is odd. If w is odd, w^x is odd, z is even, so z^y is even, sum is odd. So II always odd. III is always odd because 2w^3 is even, 3x^2 parity matches x, 5y parity matches y, 6z^2 even. Since x and y are consecutive, one is even, one odd, so 3x^2+5y is odd+even or even+odd = odd. So III is odd. So E.
For III, I noticed that 3x^2 + 5y is always odd because x and y are consecutive. That's a neat trick.
What it tests
Your command of divisibility, primes, factors, parity, and how the GMAT tests properties of integers.
Common trap
Forgetting that 1 is not prime, that 0 is divisible by every integer, or that negative numbers flip your assumptions.