Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) Practice Test

When determining numbers for odd totals, which two numbers should be tried first?

1. 2 and 4

2. 0 and 5

3. 1 and 3

4. 3 and 5

The correct answer is: 1 and 3

To achieve an odd total when summing two numbers, it is important to understand how odd and even numbers interact with each other mathematically. The total of two numbers will be odd if one number is odd and the other number is even. Among the options presented, selecting 1 and 3 leads to two odd numbers. When you sum two odd numbers, the result is always even (for example, 1 + 3 = 4). Therefore, even though both numbers are easy to work with and often the first to come to mind, they do not contribute to creating an odd total. Conversely, when using 2 and 4, you have two even numbers that will also result in an even sum. Similarly, the pair of 0 and 5 also results in the sum equating to an odd total but can complicate matters with the presence of zero. The option presenting 3 and 5 features two odd numbers, similar to 1 and 3, which again leads to an even sum. However, the correct answer focuses on using the odd numbers first that can be paired with an even number to create an odd total. In the context of achieving odd totals, starting with 1 and 3 allows you