BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Problem Solving

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
Posts: 17
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 2:41 pm

Problem Solving

by adamz » Sat Oct 09, 2010 4:39 am
Let x, y, z be three different positive integers each less than 20. What is the smallest possible value of expression

x-y/-z ?

(a)-18
(b)-17
(c)-14
(d)-11
(e)-9
Top
Source: — Problem Solving |
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1460
Joined: Tue Dec 29, 2009 1:28 am
Thanked: 135 times
Followed by:7 members

by selango » Sat Oct 09, 2010 4:44 am
Take first smallest value -18

19-(1)/-1,Not possible as X,Y and Z are different integers.

Take next value -17

19-2/-(1)=-17

Pick B
--Anand--
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 270
Joined: Wed Apr 07, 2010 9:00 am
Thanked: 24 times
Followed by:2 members

by neerajkumar1_1 » Sat Oct 09, 2010 4:52 am
for (x-y)/-z to be the smallest...

x-y should be small and z as big as possible...

let x =19 and y = 1
(19 -1) / -1 = -19
since the numbers have to be distinct

make either y =2 or z =2 and see which is the smallest

y =2 and z = 1

(19-2) / -1 = -17
or
z = 2 and y = 1
(19 -1) / -2 = -9

since -17 is lesser...
choose B
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1