M7MBA wrote: ↑

Sat Dec 18, 2021 6:29 am

What is the value of \(x?\)

(1) \((x)(x + 1) = (2013)(2014)\)

(2) \(x\) is odd.

Answer: C

Source: Veritas Prep

Target question: What is the value of x?

Statement 1: (x)(x + 1) = (2013)(2014)
At first glance, statement 1 looks sufficient. However, there are two possible values of x:
Case a: x = 2013 and x+1 = 2014. In this case, the answer to the target question is x = 2013
Case b: x = -2014 and x+1 = -2013. In this case, the answer to the target question is x = -2014
Since we can’t answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is NOT SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: x is odd
Definitely NOT SUFFICIENT

Statements 1 and 2 combined
Statement 1 indirectly tells us that EITHER x = 2013 OR x = -2014
Statement 2 tells us that x is odd
In order for both statements to be true, it must be the case that x = 2013
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, the combined statements are SUFFICIENT

Answer: C