BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

★★★★★5.0559 reviews
GMATLiveTeach 7 seats left
Chris Peckover
NEXT LIVE COHORT

Oct 13 to Jan 7, 2027

with Chris Peckover

Schedule
Tue, Thu · 8:00 to 10:00 PM ET
Included
40 live hours + 6 months of GMAT OnDemand
  • Live instruction and real-time questions
  • Class recordings and assigned practice
View class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeach 5 seats left
Logan Thompson
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Sep 6 to Dec 6, 2026

with Logan Thompson

Schedule
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll
Limited cohort · enrollment openTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemand Start anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Compare the format, schedule, and included access before enrolling. Prices and seat counts shown reflect the supplied offer details.

The product of 4 consecutive odd integers is negative. What

Expert replies
by Max@Math Revolution » Mon Jul 16, 2018 11:59 pm

Timer

00:00

Answers

A

B

C

D

E

Stats

Difficulty

[GMAT math practice question]

The product of 4 consecutive odd integers is negative. What is the largest odd integer?

1) The smallest integer is negative.
2) The third smallest integer is negative.
Join the discussion
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Tue Jul 17, 2018 7:21 am
Max@Math Revolution wrote: The product of 4 consecutive odd integers is negative. What is the largest odd integer?
1) The smallest integer is negative.
2) The third smallest integer is negative.
Target question: What is the largest odd integer?

Given: The product of 4 consecutive odd integers is negative.
It's worth taking the time to analyze what this is telling us.
If the product of 4 consecutive odd integers is negative, then there are only 2 possible scenarios:
Scenario #1: The numbers are -5, -3, -1, 1 (the product is -15, which is negative)
Scenario #2: The numbers are -1, 1, 3, 5 (the product is -15, which is negative)

Now let's check the statements:

Statement 1: The smallest integer is negative
Notice that BOTH scenarios meet this condition
In scenario #1, the answer to the target question is the largest integer is 1
In scenario #2, the answer to the target question is the largest integer is 5
Since we cannot answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: The third smallest integer is negative
Only scenario #1 meets this condition
So, the answer to the target question is the largest integer is 1
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is SUFFICIENT

Answer: B

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Join the discussion

by Max@Math Revolution » Thu Jul 19, 2018 12:44 am
=>

Forget conventional ways of solving math questions. For DS problems, the VA (Variable Approach) method is the quickest and easiest way to find the answer without actually solving the problem. Remember that equal numbers of variables and independent equations ensure a solution.

The first step of the VA (Variable Approach) method is to modify the original condition and the question. We then recheck the question.

Since we have 1 variable (n) and 0 equations, D is most likely to be the answer. So, we should consider each of the conditions on their own first.

Let the integers be 2n - 3, 2n - 1, 2n + 1 and 2n +3.
Since (2n-3)(2n-1)(2n+1)(2n+3) < 0, either one of the integers is negative, or three of the integers is negative. There are two possible lists of integers: -1, 1, 3, 5 and -5, -3, -1, 1.

Condition 1)
The largest odd integers in the two possible lists are 5 and 1.
Since we don't have a unique answer, condition 1) is not sufficient.

Condition 2)
If the third smallest integer is negative, then the integers are -5, -3, -1, 1.
The largest integer is 1.
Since we have a unique answer, condition 2) is sufficient.

Therefore, B is the answer.

Answer: B

If the original condition includes "1 variable", or "2 variables and 1 equation", or "3 variables and 2 equations" etc., one more equation is required to answer the question. If each of conditions 1) and 2) provide an additional equation, there is a 59% chance that D is the answer, a 38% chance that A or B is the answer, and a 3% chance that the answer is C or E. Thus, answer D (conditions 1) and 2), when applied separately, are sufficient to answer the question) is most likely, but there may be cases where the answer is A,B,C or E.
Join the discussion