hashCode() doubt

[raja kanak]

I got this mock question from JQPlus

    
public class IntPair 
{ 
    private int a; 
    private int b; 
    public void setA(int i){ this.a = i; } 
    public int getA(){ return this.a; } 
    public void setB(int i){ this.b = i; } 
    public int getB(int b){ return b; } 
    public boolean equals(Object obj) 
    { 
        return ( obj instanceof IntPair && this.a == ((IntPair) obj).a ); 
    } 
    public int hashCode() 
    { 
        //1 
    } 
} 
Which of the following options would be valid at //1?
a) return 0;
b) return a;
c) return a+b;
d) return a*a;
e) return a/2;

I guess a,b,c,d are correct. But the answer is a,b,d,e
My doubt is how c is correct? I can't understand the logic?

Thanks for any help.

[Matthew Alesi]

This is because choice c would violate the unchecked contract that equals() and hashCode() must fulfill in order for them to work properly.

One of the stipulations of this contract is that hashCode() and equals() should use the same criteria to formulate their values, or at least that equals() use all of what hashCode uses and then some more if you want. Think about it: if hashCode() came up with two different hashcodes based on different values for b in two objects of the above class, the equals() test might still return true if the a values are the same. hashCode()'s must be equal if equals() is true.

I hope I explained that well enough. Please say so if I didn't.

[raja kanak]

Thanks Matthew Alesi.
Now i understand the issue.