If A is a positive integer, then which of the following statements is ...
Step 1: Question statement and Inferences
We are given that A is a positive integer. A may be odd or even.
Step 2: Analyzing the given statements
1. A2 + A -1 is always even
Case (i) A is Odd
- A2 is also odd (Odd × Odd = Odd)
- A2 + A is even (Odd + Odd = Even)
- A2 + A -1 is odd ( Even – Odd = Odd)
We don’t even need to consider the case when A is even, because Statement 1 has already been proven FALSE.
2. (A4+1)(A4+2) + 3A is even only when A is even
Case (i): A is odd
- 3A is odd (Odd × Odd = Odd)
Now, an odd number multiplied with itself any number of times will give an odd product
- A4 is odd
- A4 + 1 is even (Odd + Odd = Even)
- A4 + 2 is odd (Odd + Even = Odd)
- (A4+1)(A4+2) + 3A = Even × Odd + Odd
- (A4+1)(A4+2) + 3A = Even + Odd
- (A4+1)(A4+2) + 3A = Odd
Thus, when A is odd, (A4+1)(A4+2) + 3A is odd
Case (ii): A is even
3A is even (Odd × Even = Even)
An even number multiplied with itself any number of times will give an even product
- A4 is even
- A4 + 1 is odd (Even + Odd = Odd)
- A4 + 2 is even (Even + Even = Even)
- (A4+1)(A4+2) + 3A = Odd × Even + Even
- (A4+1)(A4+2) + 3A = Even + Even
- (A4+1)(A4+2) + 3A = Even
Thus, when A is even, (A4+1)(A4+2) + 3A is even
Thus, Statement 2 is TRUE.
3. (A-1)(A+2)(A+4) is never odd
Case (i): A is odd
- A-1 is even (Odd -Odd = Even)
- A + 2 is odd (Odd + Even = Odd)
- A + 4 is odd (Odd + Even = Odd)
- (A-1)(A+2)(A+4) = Even × Odd × Odd
- (A-1)(A+2)(A+4) = Even
Thus, when A is odd, (A-1)(A+2)(A+4) is even
Case (ii): A is even
- A-1 is odd (Even -Odd = Odd)
- A + 2 is even (Even + Even = Even)
- A + 4 is even (Even + Even = Even)
- (A-1)(A+2)(A+4) = Odd × Even × Even
- (A-1)(A+2)(A+4) = Even
Thus, when A is even, (A-1)(A+2)(A+4) is even
Thus, Statement 3 is TRUE.
Answer: Option (E)