Carcass wrote:
If x, y, and z are positive integers and the expression xy(y - z) is an odd number, which of the following numbers can be even?
I. z
II. x + z
III. x + y
(A) None
(B) I only
(C) II only
(D) I and III
(E) II and III
Key property: If a, b and c are positive integers, and the product abc is odd, then a, b and c are each ODDSince we're told xy(y - z) is ODD, we can conclude that
x is odd, y is odd, and (y - z) is oddIf (y - z) is odd and y is odd, we can also conclude that
z is evenI'll check the three statements...
I. z z is definitely EVEN
II. x + z If x is odd and z is even, then x + z is ODD
III. x + y If x is odd and y is odd, then x + y is EVEN
Answer: D