How to add odd numbers - PSAT Math

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Question

, , , and are positive integers.

is odd.

Which of the following is possible?

I) Exactly two of are odd.

II) Exactly three of are odd.

III) All four of are odd.

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Answer

If exactly two of are odd, then exactly one of the seven expressions being added is odd - namely, the only one that does not have an even factor (for example, if and are odd, then the only odd number is ). This makes the sum of one odd number and six even number and, subsequently, odd.

If exactly three of are odd, then exactly three of the seven expressions being added are odd - namely, the three that do not include the even factor (for example, if , , and are odd, then the three odd numbers are , , and ). This makes the sum of three odd numbers and four even numbers and, subsequently, odd.

If all four of are odd, then all of the seven expressions being added, being the product of only odd numbers, are odd. This makes the sum of seven odd numbers, and, subsequently, odd.

The correct choice is that all three scenarios are possible.

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