Question

Integers $a, b, c,$ and $d,$ not necessarily distinct, are chosen independently and at random from $0$ to $2007,$ inclusive. What is the probability that $ad - bc$ is even?

$\dfrac{3}{8}$

$\dfrac{7}{16}$

$\dfrac{1}{2}$

$\dfrac{9}{16}$

$\dfrac{5}{8}$

Answer: E

Concepts:parity basic probability independent events

Difficulty rating: 1540

Solution:

Half the integers from $0$ to $2007$ are odd, so each of $ad$ and $bc$ is odd with probability $\tfrac12 \cdot \tfrac12 = \tfrac14$ and even with probability $\tfrac34.$

The difference $ad - bc$ is even when both products have the same parity: $\tfrac14 \cdot \tfrac14 + \tfrac34 \cdot \tfrac34 = \tfrac{1}{16} + \tfrac{9}{16} = \tfrac58.$

Thus, the correct answer is E.

2007 AMC 10A Problem 16

Answer: E

Difficulty rating: 1540

Solution:

Problem 16 in Other Years