swerve wrote:The product of two integers is 40. Which of the following CANNOT be the sum of these two integers?

A. -41
B. -14
C. 3
D. 13
E. 14

The OA is C

Source: Magoosh

Let's examine PAIRS of values with a product of 40

-1 and -40 add to -41 ELIMINATE A
-2 and -20 add to -22 no options to eliminate
-4 and -10 add to -14 ELIMINATE B
4 and 10 add to 14 ELIMINATE E
5 and 8 add to 13 ELIMINATE D

By the process of elimination, the correct answer is C

Cheers,
Brent

Hi All,

We're told that the product of two INTEGERS is 40. We're asked which of the following CANNOT be the SUM of these two integers. This question can be solved with a bit of 'brute force' Arithmetic.

To start, since there aren't that many ways to multiply two integers and get 40, it would be helpful to write down all of those options.

The two integers are either both positive OR both negative - and can only be...
1 and 40
2 and 20
4 and 10
5 and 8

Looking at the answers, we can quickly find the four that are possible:
-41 = -40 and -1
-14 = -4 and -10
13 = 5 and 8
14 = 4 and 10

There's only one answer left...

Final Answer: C

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

swerve wrote:The product of two integers is 40. Which of the following CANNOT be the sum of these two integers?

A. -41
B. -14
C. 3
D. 13
E. 14

The OA is C

Source: Magoosh

Let's list the possible number combinations that can multiply to 40.

1, 40 or -1, -40

2, 20 or -2, -20

4, 10 or -4, -10

5, 8 or -5, -8

We see that the possible sums from the above pairs are:

41, -41, 22, -22, 14, -14, 13 and -13

From the given answer choices, the only sum that is not possible is 3.

Answer: C