Problem Solving

[GMAT math practice question]

a, b, c, d, and e are positive integers satisfying the following. What is the value of a + b + c + d + e?

A. 10
B. 12
C. 14
D. 16
E. 18

There is no way to solve this without knowing more information, I think you are missing some of the necessary criteria on a, b, c, d, and e.

=>
When we divide 382 by 73, we have the expression 382 = 73·5 + 17 or 382/73 = 5 + 17/73.
When we divide 73 by 17, we have the expression 73 = 17·4 + 5 or 73/17 = 4 + 5/17.
When we divide 17 by 5, we have the expression 17 = 5·3 + 2 or 17/5 = 3 + 2/5.
When we divide 5 by 2, we have the expression 5 = 2·2 + 1 or 5/2 = 2 + 1/2.
Then we have 382 = 5 + 17/73
Thus ,we have a = 5, b = 4, c = 3, d = 2, and e = 2. Then a + b + c + d + e = 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 16.
Therefore, D is the correct answer.
Answer: D