Number properties

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BTGmoderatorRO: Moderator; Posts: 772; Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2017 6:29 pmFollowed by: 6 members

by BTGmoderatorRO » Sat Oct 28, 2017 3:07 am

What is the least possible product of 5 different integers, each of which is between -5 and 5, inclusive?
A. -1600
B. -1450
C. -1200
D. -840
E. -600
OA is c

Hi, I am confused on how to set up the formula here, can any expert help

:
Thanks

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Sat Oct 28, 2017 3:07 am

EconomistGMATTutor: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 555; Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2017 4:18 pmFollowed by: 12 members; Thanked: 180 times

by EconomistGMATTutor » Sat Oct 28, 2017 3:32 am

Hello Roland.

To solve this PS question, you need to pick 5 numbers such that their product is negative, that is, you have to pick an odd number of negative integers. Also, you have to select the biggest and the smallest ones.

So, let's pick -5, 5, -4, 4 and -3. their product will be (-5)*(5)*(-4)*(4)*(-3)=-1200.

The correct answer is option C.

I'm available if you'd like any follow up.

Feel free to ask me if you have a doubt.

Regards.

GMAT Prep From The Economist
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Scott@TargetTestPrep: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 8138; Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 amFollowed by: 29 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 43 times

by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Tue Nov 12, 2019 7:18 pm

BTGmoderatorRO wrote:What is the least possible product of 5 different integers, each of which is between -5 and 5, inclusive?
A. -1600
B. -1450
C. -1200
D. -840
E. -600
OA is c

Hi, I am confused on how to set up the formula here, can any expert help :
Thanks

We want to create the smallest negative number possible. Thus, the smallest product would be:

-5 x 5 x 4 x -4 x -3 = -1200

Answer: C

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]

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[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pmFollowed by: 511 members; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Tue Nov 12, 2019 9:43 pm

Hi All,

We're asked for the LEAST possible product of 5 DIFFERENT integers, each of which is between -5 and 5, inclusive. From the answer choices, we can see that the correct answer is clearly going to be NEGATIVE, so we can think in terms of how to get that result AND have it be the 'most negative' answer possible.

Since we're taking the product of FIVE different numbers, we'll want an ODD number of negatives (so that the product will be negative) and we'll want to think in terms of the 'most extreme' numbers possible (since we want the product to be as far negative as possible). That product would be...

(-5)(-4)(-3)(5)(4) = (-60)(20) = -1200

Final Answer: C

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]

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