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

Redeem
TTP OnDemand GMAT Video Course
Featured Course

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Scott Woodbury-Stewart’s private virtual classroom — 400 hours of master-class video lessons for the GMAT Focus Edition.

  • 715+ score guarantee — highest in the industry (99th percentile)
  • 52 chapters · 1,500+ lessons · 4,000+ practice questions
  • 400 hours of video · 1,500+ instructor-led HD smartboard lessons
  • 300,000+ students accepted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth & Sloan & more
  • 24/7 live support + weekly Zoom office hours with GMAT instructors
  • TTP AI Assist — 24/7 AI-powered virtual tutor for instant help
  • 1,200+ flashcards + AI-powered study assistant & daily calendar
  • OnDemand, LiveTeach & GMAT Bootcamp formats available
  • Also: GRE, SAT Math & Executive Assessment courses
  • MBA Admissions Consulting now available
  • 🏆 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Award: Test Prep Solution Provider of the Year
  • 200,000+ students served
  • 5-day free trial — $0 to start, no auto-billing, cancel anytime
★★★★★ 5.0 (559 reviews)
130-pt guarantee
$0 to start then $127/mo
Start Free 5-Day Trial Read 559 Reviews →

Thoughts on this Question?

Expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
User avatar
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 64
Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2012 1:59 pm
Thanked: 1 times
by yumi2012 » Sun Aug 04, 2013 8:03 pm
This Q is found on page 41 of the MGMAT guide book "Number Properties"

Q: If c,d, and e are consecutive integers, is cde odd or even?

My answer: "cannot be determined".. because there's no mention of any of integers not being "0" so I thought if any of them is 0 then the product is neither even nor odd.

However, the answer from MGMAT book is "even"... Any thoughts?
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Source: — Problem Solving |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Mon Aug 05, 2013 12:11 am
Hi yumi2012,

0 is an even number and it's considered a "null" value (neither positive nor negative).

If you have 3 consecutive integers, then the product MUST be even. Here's why:

Either your first integer is even or it's odd.
If it's even, then the 3 terms are: (even)(odd)(even) and the product is even. e.g.. (2)(3)(4) = 24
Or it's odd, then the 3 terms are: (odd)(even)(odd) and the product is even. e.g. (-1)(0(1) = 0

DON'T CONFUSE even/odd with positive/negative/zero

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 16207
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members
Location: Vancouver, BC
Thanked: 5254 times
GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Mon Aug 05, 2013 7:44 am
I should add that there's a rule that says . . .

The product of n consecutive integers is divisible by n, n-1, n-2,..., and 1.

So, for example, the product of any 6 consecutive integers will be divisible by 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 (of course, the product can be divisible by other numbers as well)

So, in your question, we have 3 consecutive integers (c, d and e). So, the product cde must be divisible 3, 2, and 1
If it's divisible by 2, then it's definitely even.

Cheers,
Brent
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Top
Join the discussion
Log in to postLogin with Googleuse password
QUOTE IN REPLY
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1