Math Revolution GMAT Instructor
Joined: 16 Aug 2015
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Re: The Ultimate Q51 Guide [Expert Level]
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31 Dec 2016, 01:58
1) As always, more developed questions combined with CMT 3 and 4 are being released. Look at the question below. This question, a 5051-level question including CMT 4(A), was released recently. To strengthen your skills for this type of questions, you need to know the relationship between variable approach and CMT.
If a and b are integers, is ab an odd?
1) a=0
2) b=1-a
==> In the original condition, there are 2 variables (a, b), and therefore C is most likely to be the answer. By solving con 1) and con 2), from a=0 and b=1, you get ab0*1=0=even, hence no, it is sufficient. Therefore, C is the answer. However, this is an integer question, one of the key questions. Thus, if you apply CMT 4 (A, B), if 1) a=0, you get ab=0 and it is always even, hence no, it is sufficient. Also, for con 2), from a+b=1=odd, and (a, b)=(odd, even), (even, odd), you get ab=even, hence yes, it is sufficient. Therefore, the answer is D. This question is related to CMT 4(B). In other words, con 1) is easy and con 2) is difficult, so you apply CMT 4(B) (If you get A and B easily, consider B).
Answer: D