Infinite sequence

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Infinite sequence

by sparkles3144 » Wed May 29, 2013 9:20 am
An infinite sequence of positive integers is called an "alpha sequence" if the number of even integers in the sequence is finite. If S is an infinite sequence of positive integers, is S an alpha sequence?

(1) The first ten integers in S are even.
(2) An infinite number of integers in S are odd.

I chose the correct answer.
I just wanted to know if the process is right.

Statement 1: Insuffficient. It gives no information about rest of the numbers. There is no information whether rest of the numbers are odd or even

Statement 2: Insufficient.It gives information about odd but not about even. We are looking for information regarding infinite number of even integers.

Together: Insufficient

Answer is E

Did I approach it in a right way?

Thanks!
Source: — Data Sufficiency |

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by srcc25anu » Wed May 29, 2013 11:16 am
Looks right.

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by fcabanski » Sat Jun 01, 2013 10:52 pm
Cover the statements. Anticipate the sufficient info. This is a yes/no question. It's sufficient if it reveals a yes or a no.

Statements, alone or together, must limit the number of even integers to a finite number (yes), or reveal that there can't be only a finite number of even integers (no).

Reveal statement 1:

(1) The first ten integers in S are even.

What about the next 100, or the next 1000? How about a rule for the sequence? This is effectively 0 information. The first ten might be the only even numbers (yes answer), or the first ten and every other number after the 10th might be even (no answer). Insufficient. Eliminate A and D. Only B, C, E remain.

Reveal statement 2 after hitting yourself in the head with a brick so you forget statement 1.

(2) An infinite number of integers in S are odd.

Ok, but are all the numbers odd (yes answer)? Or every other number can be odd, still leaving an infinite number of even numbers (no answer). Eliminate B. Only C and E remain.

1 and 2 together - First ten are even, and an infinite number are odd.

An infinite number, (the first ten and an infinite number more), can still be even (no answer), or only those first ten are even (yes answer). Eliminate C.

E

You didn't include an explanation for why C isn't the answer. Find an exception just to make sure.
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