BTGModeratorVI wrote: ↑

Sun Jul 26, 2020 6:45 am

If x, y, and z are consecutive odd integers, with x < y < z, then which of the following must be true?

I. x + y is even
II. (x+z)/y is an integer
III. xz is even

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I and II only
E. I, II, and III

Answer: D
Source: Kaplan

Some important rules:
#1. ODD +/- ODD = EVEN
#2. ODD +/- EVEN = ODD
#3. EVEN +/- EVEN = EVEN

#4. (ODD)(ODD) = ODD
#5. (ODD)(EVEN) = EVEN
#6. (EVEN)(EVEN) = EVEN


The key word here is MUST

I. x + y is even
Since x and y are both ODD, we can conclude that x + y = ODD + ODD = EVEN
So, statement I is true
Check the answer choices.... and ELIMINATE B and C, since they state that statement I is not true.

II. (x + z)/y is an integer
Must this be true?
Since x, y and z are consecutive ODD integers, we know that y is 2 greater than x, and z is 4 greater than x.
So, we can write the following:
x = x
y = x + 2
z = x + 4

This means that (x + z)/y = (x + x + 4)/(x + 2)
= (2x + 4)/(x + 2)
= 2
Aha, so (x + z)/y will ALWAYS equal 2 (an integer)
So, statement II is true
Check the answer choices.... and ELIMINATE A, since it states that statement II is not true.

III. xz is even
Since x and z are both ODD, we know that xz = (ODD)(ODD) = ODD
So, statement III is NOT true

Answer: D

Cheers,
Brent