Doubt on a K & B LearnKey CD question

[Jisha Anand]

Dear All,
This is a question from LearnKey CD provided along with K & B SCJP Guide:

Given:

class SortOf{
	String name;
	int bal;
	String code;
	short rate;
	public int hashCode() {
		return (code.length()*bal);
	}
	public boolean equals(Object o) {
		//insert code here
	}
}

Which of the following fulfill the equals() & hashCode() contract for this class? (Choose all that apply)

Correct Answer given are:

return ((SortOf)o).code.length() * ((SortOf)o).bal == this.code.length() * this.bal;
return ((SortOf)o).code.length() * ((SortOf)o).bal * ((SortOf)o).rate == this.code.length() * this.bal * this.rate;

The explanation given is that the equals method must be atleast as precise as the hashCode() method.

The first option ofcourse is correct; but I don't understand how the second option is correct. I mean doesn't that break the hashCode - equals contract for cases in which code.length() of both objects compared are equal & the values of bal & rate for both are interchanged? In such cases this.hashCode() != o.hashCode(), but this.equals(o) will be true right? Confused!
Please help!

[Rob Spoor]

Please read http://www.coderanch.com/t/253306/Programmer-Certification-SCJP/certification/equls-hashCode-MasterExam-possible-error

[Jisha Anand]

Thanks Rob!

Good to know I also am not on the wrong side

There are more errors in the CD questions, which I don't know whom to mail/message to; but this one I thought it's something which I overlooked.

Thanks again!

[Campbell Ritchie]

SCJP questions and errors are usually discussed on another forum. Moving.