If x, y, and z are prime numbers and x<y<z, what is the value of x?

[AAPL]

Manhattan Prep

If x, y, and z are prime numbers and x < y < z, what is the value of x?

1) xy is even
2) xz is even

OA D

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

Manhattan Prep

If x, y, and z are prime numbers and x < y < z, what is the value of x?

1) xy is even
2) xz is even

OA D

Given: x, y, and z are prime numbers and x < y < z

Target question: What is the value of x?

Statement 1: xy is even
This tells us that one of the variables must be 2
Since 2 is the smallest prime number, and since x < y < z, we can conclude that x = 2
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 1 is SUFFICIENT

Statement 2: xz is even
This tells us that one of the variables must be 2
Since 2 is the smallest prime number, and since x < y < z, we can conclude that x = 2
Since we can answer the target question with certainty, statement 2 is SUFFICIENT

Answer: D

Cheers,
Brent