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2003 AMC 10A Problems/Problem 14

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Problem

Let n be the largest integer that is the product of exactly 3 distinct prime numbers d, e, and 10d+e, where d and e are single digits. What is the sum of the digits of n?

\mathrm{(A) \ } 12\qquad \mathrm{(B) \ } 15\qquad \mathrm{(C) \ } 18\qquad \mathrm{(D) \ } 21\qquad \mathrm{(E) \ } 24

Solution

Since d is a single digit prime number, the set of possible values of d is \{2,3,5,7\}.

Since e is a single digit prime number and is the units digit of the prime number 10d+e, the set of possible values of e is \{3,7\}.

Using these values for d and e, the set of possible values of 10d+e is \{23,27,33,37,53,57,73,77\}

Out of this set, the prime values are \{23,37,53,73\}

Therefore the possible values of n are:

2\cdot3\cdot23=138

3\cdot7\cdot37=777

5\cdot3\cdot53=795

7\cdot3\cdot73=1533

The largest possible value of n is 1533.

So, the sum of the digits of n is 1+5+3+3=12 \Rightarrow A

See Also

2003 AMC 10A (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 13
Followed by
Problem 15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
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