1998 CEMC Gauss (Grade 8) Problems/Problem 2

Problem

The smallest number in the set $\{0, -17, 4, 3, -2\}$ is

$\text{ (A) }\ -17 \qquad\text{ (B) }\ 4 \qquad\text{ (C) }\ -2 \qquad\text{ (D) }\ 0 \qquad\text{ (E) }\ 3$

Solution

The set has negative numbers, meaning any positive numbers or $0$ cannot be the smallest number. This means that all we need to do is compare $-17$ and $-2$ .

$\boxed {\textbf {(A) } -17}$ is the smaller of the two.

~anabel.disher

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1998 CEMC Gauss (Grade 8) Problems/Problem 2

Problem

Solution