uwhusky wrote:B can't be correct.
If the integer x is greater than 1, does x = 2?
2) The sum of any two distinct positive factors of x is odd.
x could be anything.
Let's use 10, factors of 10 are 1, 2, 5, 10; 1 + 2 = 3.
Let's try 12, factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12; 1 + 6 = 7.
So 2) says that x could be either 10 or 12, and neither of them is 2.
Please read Statement 2 without falling in to the trap there. It reads sum of
any two distinct positive factors of x is odd; any two means any two. If you try any number other than 2, you will find the core condition as violated.
First try x for some prime NOT 2, it got to be an odd now, the only and other factor, 1, is already odd. The sum cannot be odd. Hence the author is definitely not calling x as an odd prime.
Next try any composite you please and see how the core condition is violated.
Try 10, factors being 1, 2, 5, 10; since any two means any two, why shouldn't we try 2 + 10 = EVEN to prove the core condition as violated. Or try 12, factors being 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12; since any two means any two, why shouldn't we try 2 + 4 = EVEN to prove the core condition as violated again. You can keep trying if you cannot admit the fact that to any composite, the factors are either all ODD or at least two EVEN.
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The Princeton Review - Manya Abroad
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