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# If a and b are integers and a is even, what is the value of a - b?

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Intern
Joined: 08 Jun 2017
Posts: 12
If a and b are integers and a is even, what is the value of a - b? [#permalink]

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14 Oct 2017, 21:25
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35% (medium)

Question Stats:

74% (00:55) correct 26% (00:43) wrong based on 43 sessions

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If a and b are integers and a is even, what is the value of a - b?

(1) a < 3
(2) $$\frac{a}{b} = \frac{2}{7}$$

(Source: Princeton Review GMAT Test 6)
[Reveal] Spoiler: OA

Last edited by Bunuel on 15 Oct 2017, 01:37, edited 2 times in total.
Renamed the topic.
Intern
Joined: 28 Dec 2010
Posts: 49
Re: If a and b are integers and a is even, what is the value of a - b? [#permalink]

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14 Oct 2017, 21:57
Here the answer should be E.
If it said that a is positive then only C is possible.

1. a<3
No information about b. Can't Solve

2. a/b = 2/7
One equation 2 variables. Can't Solve

Now lets try both statements.
We would just get a - b
= $$-5a/2$$
We know a < 3 and even. But a could be 2, 0, -2, and so on..

Hence E.
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If a and b are integers and a is even, what is the value of a - b? [#permalink]

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14 Oct 2017, 22:05
aashaybaindurgmat wrote:
If a and b are integers and a is even, what is the value of a - b?
(1) a < 3
(2) $$\frac{a}{b} = \frac{2}{7}$$

(Source: Princeton Review GMAT Test 6)

Statement 1: nothing mentioned about $$b$$. Hence insufficient

Statement 2: implies $$a=\frac{2b}{7}$$, as $$a$$ and $$b$$ are integers so $$b$$ has to be a multiple of $$7$$

if $$b=7$$ then $$a=2$$ and if $$b=14$$, $$a=4$$, So multiple values of $$a$$ & $$b$$ possible. hence insufficient

Combining 1 & 2 we know $$a<3$$ and $$b$$ is a multiple of $$7$$

so if $$b=7$$, $$a =2$$ and $$a-b=-5$$

but if $$b=-7$$, $$a=-2$$ and $$a-b=5$$

So multiple values possible.

Option E

Last edited by niks18 on 15 Oct 2017, 10:03, edited 1 time in total.
Intern
Joined: 24 May 2015
Posts: 4
Location: India
Schools: ISB '19
GMAT 1: 570 Q42 V26
GPA: 3.85
If a and b are integers and a is even, what is the value of a - b? [#permalink]

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15 Oct 2017, 09:34
aashaybaindurgmat wrote:
If a and b are integers and a is even, what is the value of a - b?

(1) a < 3
(2) $$\frac{a}{b} = \frac{2}{7}$$

(Source: Princeton Review GMAT Test 6)

Does the concept of negative even integers exist ?.I mean even/odd is applicable for integers >=0 right ?
And if so, the answer should be C and not E. Please enlighten!!
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 44419
Re: If a and b are integers and a is even, what is the value of a - b? [#permalink]

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15 Oct 2017, 09:39
aashaybaindurgmat wrote:
If a and b are integers and a is even, what is the value of a - b?

(1) a < 3
(2) $$\frac{a}{b} = \frac{2}{7}$$

(Source: Princeton Review GMAT Test 6)

Does the concept of negative even integers exist ?.I mean even/odd is applicable for integers >=0 right ?
And if so, the answer should be C and not E. Please enlighten!!

An even number is an integer that is "evenly divisible" by 2, i.e., divisible by 2 without a remainder. So, ..., -4, -2, 0, 2, 4, ... are all even integers.

An odd number is an integer that is not evenly divisible by 2. So, ..., -3, -1, 1, 3, 5, ... are all odd integers.

For more check here:
ALL YOU NEED FOR QUANT ! ! !

Hope it helps.
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Re: If a and b are integers and a is even, what is the value of a - b?   [#permalink] 15 Oct 2017, 09:39
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