Question

Two integers a and b have a product of 24.what is the least possible sum of a and b

Answer 1

a x b = 24

Possible values of a and b are:
1 x 24 = 24
2 x 12 = 24
3 x 8 =24
4 x 6 = 24

The possible sums of a and b are:
1 + 24 = 25
2 + 12 = 14
3 + 8 = 11
4 + 6 = 10

Therefore, the least possible sum of a and b is 10.

Answer 2

The least possible sum is 10.

Explanation:

Given two integers are "a" and "b".

The factors of 24 is: 2 × 2 × 2 × 3.

Thus, the possible combinations of "a" and "b" are:

2 and 12, 4 and 6, 8 and 3.

And, the sum of these combinations are: 2 +12 = 14

4 + 6 = 10

8 + 3 = 11

Thus, the least possible sum is 10 which is the combination of 4 and 6.