Difference between revisions of "2024 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 7"

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==Solution 1==
 
==Solution 1==
We notice that the optimal solution involves two negative numbers and a positive number. Thus we may split <math>60</math> into three factors and choose negativity. We notice that <math>10\cdot6\cdot1=10\cdot(-6)\cdot(-1)=60</math>, and trying other combinations does not yield lesser results so the answer is <math>10-6-1=\boxed{\textbf{(B)} 3}</math>.
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We notice that the optimal solution involves two negative numbers and a positive number. Thus we may split <math>60</math> into three factors and choose negativity. We notice that <math>10\cdot6\cdot1=10\cdot(-6)\cdot(-1)=60</math>, and trying other combinations does not yield lesser results so the answer is <math>10-6-1=\boxed{\textbf{(B) }3}</math>.
  
 
~eevee9406
 
~eevee9406

Revision as of 15:55, 8 November 2024

Problem

The product of three integers is $60$. What is the least possible positive sum of the three integers?

$\textbf{(A) }2\qquad\textbf{(B) }3\qquad\textbf{(C) }5\qquad\textbf{(D) }6\qquad\textbf{(E) }13$

Solution 1

We notice that the optimal solution involves two negative numbers and a positive number. Thus we may split $60$ into three factors and choose negativity. We notice that $10\cdot6\cdot1=10\cdot(-6)\cdot(-1)=60$, and trying other combinations does not yield lesser results so the answer is $10-6-1=\boxed{\textbf{(B) }3}$.

~eevee9406

Solution 2

We have $abc = 60$. Let $a$ be positive, and let $b$ and $c$ be negative. Then we need $a > |b + c|$. If $a = 6$, then $|b + c|$ is at least $7$, so this doesn't work. If $a = 10$, then $(b,c) = (-6,-1)$ works, giving $10 - 7 = \boxed{\textbf{(B) }3}$

~ pog, mathkiddus

See also

2024 AMC 10A (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 6
Followed by
Problem 8
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
All AMC 10 Problems and Solutions

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