The product of two integers is 40. Which of the following

Expert replies

swerve: Legendary Member; Posts: 2545; Joined: Sun Oct 29, 2017 2:04 pmFollowed by: 6 members

by swerve » Fri Nov 15, 2019 6:59 am

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

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — Problem Solving | Fri Nov 15, 2019 6:59 am

GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Fri Nov 15, 2019 7:21 am

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

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

Like this post

GMAT/MBA Expert

[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] » Sat Nov 16, 2019 10:29 am

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

Contact Rich at [email protected]

Like this post

GMAT/MBA Expert

Scott@TargetTestPrep: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 8154; Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:56 amFollowed by: 29 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 43 times

by Scott@TargetTestPrep » Fri Nov 22, 2019 11:22 am

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

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder and CEO
[email protected]

See why Target Test Prep is rated 5 out of 5 stars on BEAT the GMAT. Read our reviews

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review