a and b are positive whole numbers and a/b=3. Which of the following is always an even number?

a. a+2b. b. a*b. c. a^2+b^2. d. 3a+2b. e. a^2b
Please teach me how to solve it pleaseπŸ™πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

1 answer

To find the expression that will always result in an even number when a/b = 3, we can substitute 3 for a/b in each of the options.

a. a + 2b: It is not always guaranteed to be even. For example, if a = 3 and b = 1, then a + 2b = 5.

b. ab: It is not always guaranteed to be even. For example, if a = 3 and b = 1, then ab = 3.

c. a^2 + b^2: It is not always guaranteed to be even. For example, if a = 3 and b = 1, then a^2 + b^2 = 10.

d. 3a + 2b: If a/b = 3, then we can substitute 3 for a/b: 3(3) + 2b = 9 + 2b. No matter what the value of b is (as long as it's a positive whole number), the result will always be even since 9 is odd.

e. a^2b: It is not always guaranteed to be even. For example, if a = 3 and b = 1, then a^2b = 9.

Therefore, the only expression that will always result in an even number when a/b = 3 is option d: 3a + 2b.