Register    Login    Search    Rss Feeds

 Page 1 of 1 [ 3 posts ] 



 
Author Message
 Post subject: Pg 153, MGMAT # Properties, Confusing Answer,Doubt btw A & D
 Post Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 3:20 pm 
Offline
Students


Posts: 7
Hi,
Below is a question on Page 153 of MGMAT Number Properties Strategy Guide. I solved it and got an answer different from the answer given in the answer key.

4) If c and d are integers is c-3d even?
(1) c and d are odd.
(2) c-2d is odd.
Solution
The question is asking us if c-3d is even. Simplifying the requirement, we are actually being asked:

if c and d are both even
of
if c and d are both odd

Stem-1

c and d are odd

Therefore odd * (3)(odd) will always be odd. So the answer is "YES"-"SUFFICIENT"

Stem-2
c-2d is odd
Therefore C is definitely odd and d can be even or odd but since d is being multiplied by 2 so the answer for 2d would always be even.

Now have a look at the table below:

Here we are sure that c would only be Odd and d can be either Odd or Even.

if c=Odd and d=Odd then 3d=Odd, therefore c-3d=Odd-Odd=Odd
if c=O and d=Even then 3d-Even, therefore c-3d=Odd-Even=Odd

Therefore the answer to the question is "NO" - Sufficient.

Therefore the answer to this question should be "D".

But the answer key says that the answer is "A".

Can anyone please elaborate and let me know where I am making a mistake.

Regards
Farukh


Top 
 Post subject: Re: Pg 153, MGMAT # Properties, Confusing Answer,Doubt btw A & D
 Post Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 12:06 am 
Offline
Students


Posts: 170
Dude...Let's plug in some values and disprove the second statement...

If c and d are integers is c-3d even?
(1) c and d are odd.
(2) c-2d is odd....

c=1,d=2....=>c-2d=-3(Odd)

Therefore, c-3d=-5(Not Even)...So, NO for this Case

Moving on, Take c=1,d=1....=>c-2d=-1(Odd)

Therefore, c-3d=-2(Even)...So, YES for this case


This is where you went wrong,

In Line with your post,
if c=Odd and d=Odd then 3d=Odd, therefore c-3d=Odd-Odd=Odd
....
Let's plug in some numbers to disprove your statement..
5-3=2(Even)
Odd - Odd = Even(Always)...Therefore, for your case there can be odd and even...Thus only A suffices


PS:Make sure you consider negative scenarios unless expicitly mentioned otherwise


Top 
 Post subject: Re: Pg 153, MGMAT # Properties, Confusing Answer,Doubt btw A & D
 Post Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 10:44 pm 
Offline
ManhattanGMAT Staff


Posts: 1779
Location: Southwest Airlines, seat 21C
exactly. OP assumed odd-odd=odd, which is clearly not true..

_________________
Tim Sanders
Manhattan GMAT Instructor


Top 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
 
 Page 1 of 1 [ 3 posts ] 





Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest

 
 

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: