User's self-made question

Question

x is a positive integer.

True or false?

x^2−10x+24 =0

Statement 1: x is an even integer

Statement 2: x<8

AndrewN · Answer

Hello,  minustark . I appreciate the effort to contribute high-quality questions to the forum. At the same time, this one troubles me a little, as neither statement is necessary to solve the question, and GMAT™ DS questions rely on the statements for test-taking purposes. That is, this quadratic is factorable: (x - 6)(x - 4) = 0. The solutions will be 6 and 4. So yes,  x  is a positive integer either way, but the statements have nothing to do with that fact.

Statement (1): Okay,  x  can still be 6 or 4, either of which is a positive integer.  √ True

Statement (2): Again,  x  can still be 6 or 4, either of which is a positive integer.  √ True

I guess that means the answer is (D), since each statement can be taken independently and lead to confirming our pre-solved problem, but the process of discovery seems to be lacking. Is there a specific official question you have come across to which you knew the answer(s) definitively prior to getting to the statements? If so, could you please provide a PQID or OG page and question number? I expect a certain amount of preparation to some DS questions, but I cannot think of one off the top of my head in which I am looking to do nothing more than confirm what I know must be the answer(s).

Thank you.

- Andrew

User's self-made question

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