If the smaller of 2 consecutive odd integers is a multiple of 5,

[BTGModeratorVI]

If the smaller of 2 consecutive odd integers is a multiple of 5, which of the following could NOT be the sum of these 2 integers?

A. –8
B. 12
C. 22
D. 52
E. 252

Answer: C
Source: Official Guide

[Jay@ManhattanReview]

If the smaller of 2 consecutive odd integers is a multiple of 5, which of the following could NOT be the sum of these 2 integers?

A. –8
B. 12
C. 22
D. 52
E. 252

Answer: C
Source: Official Guide

Say the first consecutive odd integer is 5x, where x = an odd integer; thus, the second odd integer would be (5x + 2).

Thus, the sum of the two integers = 5x + (5x + 2) = 10x + 2

Let's see each option one by one.

A. –8: So, we have 10x + 2 = –8 => x = –1; since x is an odd integer, it cannot be the answer.

B. 12: So, we have 10x + 2 = 12 => x = 1; since x is an odd integer, it cannot be the answer.

C. 22: So, we have 10x + 2 = 22 => x = 2; since x is NOT an odd integer, it is the correct answer.

D. 52: No need to check.
E. 252: No need to check.

The correct answer: C

Hope this helps!

-Jay
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[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

If the smaller of 2 consecutive odd integers is a multiple of 5, which of the following could NOT be the sum of these 2 integers?

A. –8
B. 12
C. 22
D. 52
E. 252

Answer: C
Source: Official Guide

The question asks "which of the following could NOT be the sum of these 2 integers"

So, if we find an answer choice that COULD be the sum of the 2 integers, we can ELIMINATE it.

-5 and -3 are two consecutive odd integers in which the smaller value (-5) is a multiple of 5
(-5) + (-3) = -8
ELIMINATE A

5 and 7 are two consecutive odd integers in which the smaller value (5) is a multiple of 5
5 + 7 = 12
ELIMINATE B

25 and 27 are two consecutive odd integers in which the smaller value (25) is a multiple of 5
25 + 27 = 52
ELIMINATE D

125 and 127 are two consecutive odd integers in which the smaller value (125) is a multiple of 5
125 + 127 = 252
ELIMINATE E

By the process of elimination, the correct answer is C

Cheers,
Brent

[Scott@TargetTestPrep]

If the smaller of 2 consecutive odd integers is a multiple of 5, which of the following could NOT be the sum of these 2 integers?

A. –8
B. 12
C. 22
D. 52
E. 252

Answer: C
Source: Official Guide

We can check the answer choices:

-5 + (-3) = -8, so A works.

5 + 7 = 12, so B works

We see that there is no way to get 22.

Answer: C