2024 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 7

Problem

The product of three integers is $60$ . What is the least possible positive sum of the three integers?

$\textbf{(A) }2\qquad\textbf{(B) }3\qquad\textbf{(C) }5\qquad\textbf{(D) }6\qquad\textbf{(E) }13$

Solution 1

We notice that the optimal solution involves two negative numbers and a positive number. Thus we may split $60$ into three factors and choose negativity. We notice that $10\cdot6\cdot1=10\cdot(-6)\cdot(-1)=60$ , and trying other combinations does not yield lesser results so the answer is $10-6-1=\boxed{\textbf{(B) }3}$ .

~eevee9406

Solution 2

We have $abc = 60$ . Let $a$ be positive, and let $b$ and $c$ be negative. Then we need $a > |b + c|$ . If $a = 6$ , then $|b + c|$ is at least $7$ , so this doesn't work. If $a = 10$ , then $(b,c) = (-6,-1)$ works, giving $10 - 7 = \boxed{\textbf{(B) }3}$

~ pog, mathkiddus

2024 AMC 10A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 6	Followed by Problem 8
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2024 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 7

Contents

Problem

Solution 1

Solution 2

See also