2014 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 13

Problem 13

If $n$ and $m$ are integers and $n^2+m^2$ is even, which of the following is impossible?

$\textbf{(A) }$ $n$ and $m$ are even $\qquad\textbf{(B) }$ $n$ and $m$ are odd $\qquad\textbf{(C) }$ $n+m$ is even $\qquad\textbf{(D) }$ $n+m$ is odd $\qquad \textbf{(E) }$ none of these are impossible

Video Solution (CREATIVE THINKING)

https://youtu.be/jQLIxT5qCTY

~Education, the Study of Everything


Video Solution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boXUIcEcAno ~David

https://youtu.be/_3n4f0v6B7I ~savannahsolver

Solution

Since $n^2+m^2$ is even, either both $n^2$ and $m^2$ are even, or they are both odd. Therefore, $n$ and $m$ are either both even or both odd, since the square of an even number is even and the square of an odd number is odd. As a result, $n+m$ must be even. The answer, then, is $n^2+m^2$ $\boxed{(\text{D})}$ is odd.


Solution 2

We can assign values of n and m as 1,3. Then 1^2$+ 3^2$ is 10. We can also assign values of n and m to be even, like 2 and 4. After calculating, we can determine that $n^2$ + $m^2$ could be odd or even. Then, we can conclude that n+m is not odd. Hence our answer choice is $\boxed{(\text{D})}$-TheNerdWhoIsNerdy.

See Also

2014 AMC 8 (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 12
Followed by
Problem 14
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All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions

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