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) x2+2xy+y2
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)
02+2(0)(0)+02=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