The problem can be simplified as x+y is odd, since odd*odd=odd and even*even=even. It's not known whether x or y is even or odd, but one must be even and the other is odd. Hence, only
option E is correct and matches our condition set.
Option D is not appropriate, as odd*even can be added by both even or odd, resulting in even and odd accordingly.
Carcass wrote:
If x and y are integers and \(x^2 + y^2\) is odd, which of the following must be even?
(A) x
(B) y
(C) x + y
(D) xy + y
(E) xy