gmatophobia
If x and y are positive integers greater than 2, is \((x+2)^{y-2} + x^y * (y-2)^{x+2}\) even ?
1) \(5x + 8x^2 + 12x^3 + 9\) is odd
2) \(3y + (11 + y) + 35(3y+2)\) is even
When we evaluate the parity of an expression, we can simplify the process:
* If an integer expression is raised to a positive integer power, we can simply ignore the exponent because it won’t change the parity of the base.
* If some even number is added to or subtracted from an integer, we can simply ignore the addition or subtraction because it won’t change the parity of the integer.
We know that x and y are positive integers greater than 2, so each exponent will be a positive integer, and we can rephrase the original question into:
Is x + (x)(y) = even ?
Is x(1 + y) = even ?
Is x = even OR y = odd ?
Statement One Alone:=> 5x + 8x^2 + 12x^3 + 9 is odd
If we ignore the exponents to simplify, we have:
5x + 8x + 12x + odd = odd
25x = odd – odd
25x = even
Therefore, x must be even, and we have a definite Yes answer to our rephrased question. Statement one is sufficient. Eliminate answer choices B, C, and E.
Statement Two Alone:=> 3y + (11 + y) + 35(3y + 2) is even
109y + 81 = even
109y = even – odd = odd
Therefore, y must be odd, and we have a definite Yes answer to our rephrased question. Statement two is sufficient.
Answer: D