Carcass wrote:
If x and y are integers and x + y is even, which of the following must be odd?
(A) \(x\)
(B) \(3xy\)
(C) \(x+2y-1\)
(D) \(xy+x+1\)
(E) \(x^2+2xy+y^2\)
We can solve many Integer Properties questions by
testing NICE values. Let's do that.
If x + y is even, then it COULD be the case that x = 0 and y = 0
Now plug these values into each answer choice to see which ones yield an ODD integer
(A) \(0\)
EVEN. ELIMINATE(B) \(3(0)(0) = 0\)
EVEN. ELIMINATE(C) \(0+2(0)-1 = -1\)
ODD, Keep for now. (D) \((0)(0)+0+1= 1\)
ODD, Keep for now. (E) \(0^2+2(0)(0)+0^2= 0\)
EVEN. ELIMINATEWe're already down to C and D.
Let's test another pair of values.
If x + y is even, then it COULD be the case that x = 1 and y = 1
Now plug these values into the remaining answer choices to see which ones yield an ODD integer
(C) \(1+2(1)-1=2\)
EVEN. ELIMINATE(D) \((1)(1)+1+1=3\)
ODD By the process of elimination, the answer is D