2020 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 18

Problem

Let $(a,b,c,d)$ be an ordered quadruple of not necessarily distinct integers, each one of them in the set ${0,1,2,3}.$ For how many such quadruples is it true that $a\cdot d-b\cdot c$ is odd? (For example, $(0,3,1,1)$ is one such quadruple, because $0\cdot 1-3\cdot 1 = -3$ is odd.)

$\textbf{(A) } 48 \qquad \textbf{(B) } 64 \qquad \textbf{(C) } 96 \qquad \textbf{(D) } 128 \qquad \textbf{(E) } 192$

Solution

In order for $a\cdot d-b\cdot c$ to be odd, consider parity. We must have an even number minus an odd number or an odd number minus an even number.

2020 AMC 10A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 17	Followed by Problem 19
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2020 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 18

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