Question

Two integers A and B have product of 24 what is the least possible sum of A and B

Answer 1

The answer would be -25.

Before we get to the solution, we need to remind ourselves that integers are whole numbers, but they include even negative numbers.

First we need to look at least two factors of 24.

Positive:

24 x 1 = 24

12 x 2 = 24

8 x 3 = 24

6 x 4 = 24

Negative:

-24 x -1 = 24

- 12 x -2 = 24

-8 x - 3 = 24

-6 x -4 = 24

Now lets add these factors and see the sum of each of these factors:

24 + 1 =25

12 + 2 = 14

8 + 3 = 11

6 + 4 = 10

-24 + -1 = -25

- 12 + -2 = -14

-8 + - 3 = -11

-6 + -4 = -10

Answer 2

The least possible sum is  10 , if the integers are  6  and  4 .

The greatest possible sum is  25 , if the integers are  1  and  24 .