Can non-integers be odd/even?

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Can non-integers be odd/even?

by Cornhog » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:14 am
If it asks me if sqrt(2) is even, what's the answer? Yes? No? Undetermined?

For example, one question asked me: Is X odd?
1.) 2x-1 is odd
2.) x^3 is odd.


I assumed statement two was enough, because I didn't consider radicals. I suppose the cube root of three is NOT odd. But the cube of the cube root of 3 is.

Anyway, the answer was C. Apparently you need the first statement to prove that x is an integer, then you can use the second.

But back to my hypothetical, is the sqrt(2) even? Yes, no, undetermined?
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

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by cramya » Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:47 am
Cornhog,

refer to
https://www.beatthegmat.com/can-negative ... 25112.html

It may help answer ur question

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by mudit_verma » Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:48 am
All numbers cannot be classified as even or odd, sqrt(2) is an irrational number, so you can say sqrt(2) is neither even nor odd.

Basic check for even no. is when it is divided by 2 must leave a remainder 0 and in this case it doesn't holds true.

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by Ian Stewart » Fri Dec 26, 2008 8:45 am
We only use the terms 'even' and 'odd' when discussing integers. A number like the square root of 2 is, of course, not an integer, so it's neither even nor odd.

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by rajataga » Sat Dec 27, 2008 1:22 am
Hi Ian,

I am asking specifically about the GMAT here....

as you said in your statement, We only use the terms 'even' and 'odd' when discussing integers......so does that mean in GMAT only integers are considered as ODD or EVEN.

as far as i can remember, in normal maths, ALL rational numbers can be classified as odd or even.

just wanted a GMAT perspective here...

Thanks.

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by Ian Stewart » Sat Dec 27, 2008 9:52 am
rajataga wrote:Hi Ian,

I am asking specifically about the GMAT here....

as you said in your statement, We only use the terms 'even' and 'odd' when discussing integers......so does that mean in GMAT only integers are considered as ODD or EVEN.

as far as i can remember, in normal maths, ALL rational numbers can be classified as odd or even.

just wanted a GMAT perspective here...

Thanks.
I'm not sure what you're referring to, about classifying all rational numbers as even or odd. In normal math, on the GMAT, anywhere you like- the only numbers that can be described as 'odd' or 'even' are integers. Whether you're taking the GMAT or taking a PhD in mathematics, the number 0.37 is not even and not odd.

Incidentally, the rules of mathematics on the GMAT are the same as those in the real world, with one exception- there are no imaginary numbers on the GMAT (you cannot take the square root of a negative number on the GMAT).
For online GMAT math tutoring, or to buy my higher-level Quant books and problem sets, contact me at ianstewartgmat at gmail.com

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by cramya » Sat Dec 27, 2008 6:27 pm
Whether you're taking the GMAT or taking a PhD in mathematics, the number 0.37 is not even and not odd
Good one Ian :-)