2010 UNCO Math Contest II Problems/Problem 3

Problem

Suppose $r, s$, and $t$ are three different positive integers and that their product is $48$, i.e., $rst=48.$ What is the smallest possible value of the sum $r+s+t$?


Solution

The solution rst must factor $48=2^{4}\cdot{3}$ and the numbers must be DISTINCT. $3+4+4=11$ fails the distinct test so $2+4+6=12$ is the solution.

See also

2010 UNCO Math Contest II (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 2
Followed by
Problem 4
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All UNCO Math Contest Problems and Solutions