Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 16:59 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 16:59
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 105,390
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 99,977
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 105,390
Kudos: 778,369
 [12]
Kudos
Add Kudos
12
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
ArunSharma12
Joined: 25 Oct 2015
Last visit: 20 Jul 2022
Posts: 513
Own Kudos:
1,019
 [1]
Given Kudos: 74
Location: India
GMAT 1: 650 Q48 V31
GMAT 2: 720 Q49 V38 (Online)
GPA: 4
Products:
GMAT 2: 720 Q49 V38 (Online)
Posts: 513
Kudos: 1,019
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
eakabuah
User avatar
Retired Moderator
Joined: 18 May 2019
Last visit: 15 Jun 2022
Posts: 776
Own Kudos:
1,125
 [1]
Given Kudos: 101
Posts: 776
Kudos: 1,125
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
freedom128
Joined: 30 Sep 2017
Last visit: 01 Oct 2020
Posts: 939
Own Kudos:
1,356
 [2]
Given Kudos: 402
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V40
GPA: 3.8
Products:
GMAT 1: 720 Q49 V40
Posts: 939
Kudos: 1,356
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Sides x, y and z are all integers. Triangle has an obtuse angle and x.y = 4
--> Potential (x,y) set = (1,4), (2,2)

If (x,y)=(1,4), then 3<z<5.
Possible integer z = 4.
However, x^2 + y^2 > z^2 --> acute-angled triangle (NO!).

If (x,y)=(2,2), then 0<z<4. Possible integer z = 1,2,3.
- For z=1, x^2 + y^2 > z^2 --> acute-angled triangle (NO!)
- For z=2, x^2 + y^2 > z^2 --> acute-angled or equilateral triangle (NO!)
- For z=3, x^2 + y^2 < z^2 --> obtuse-angled triangle (YES!)

If the triangle has an obtuse angle, then x=2, y=2, and z=3

FINAL ANSWER IS (C)

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
firas92
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 16 Jan 2019
Last visit: 02 Dec 2024
Posts: 616
Own Kudos:
1,725
 [1]
Given Kudos: 142
Location: India
Concentration: General Management
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V40
WE:Sales (Other)
Products:
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V40
Posts: 616
Kudos: 1,725
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
\((x,y)=(1,4)\) or \((2,2)\) or \((4,1)\)

For an obtuse triangle,

If \(z\) is the longest side, \(x^2+y^2<z^2\)

If \((x,y)=(1,4)\) or \((4,1)\) we have
\(z^2>17\) so \(z\) must be at least \(5\)

But if \(z\) is \(5\), it is greater than the sum of lengths the other two sides which is not possible for a triangle

If \((x,y)=(2,2)\) we have
\(z^2>8\) so \(z\) must be \(3\). Note that a \((2,2,3)\) triangle is possible but a \((2,2,z>3)\) triangle is not possible for integer values of \(z\)

If \(z\) is not the longest side, \(4\) must be the longest side and so

\(z^2+1<16\) or \(z^2<15\) or \(z\) is at most \(3\) but again, a \((1,3,4)\) or \((1,2,4)\) or \((1,1,4)\) triangle is not possible

So our obtuse triange must be \((x,y,z)=(2,2,3)\) and so \(z=3\)

Answer is (C)

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
exc4libur
Joined: 24 Nov 2016
Last visit: 22 Mar 2022
Posts: 1,684
Own Kudos:
1,447
 [1]
Given Kudos: 607
Location: United States
Posts: 1,684
Kudos: 1,447
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Quote:
The lengths of the sides of an obtuse-angled triangle are x, y, and z, where x, y and z are integers. If xy = 4, what is the value of z?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

note: sides must be a-b<c<a+b

x,y,z = integers
xy=4, xy={4,1 or 2,2}
if {4,1} 3<z<5 = {4}, this wouldnt be obtuse.
if {2,2} 0<z<4 = {1,2,3}, cant be equilateral, so z={1,3}.

if z was longest side, then would be greater than hypotenuse
{2,2}: z^2>x^2+y^2, z^2>2^2+2^2, z^2>8, z>2.7 = {3}

Ans (C)
User avatar
unraveled
Joined: 07 Mar 2019
Last visit: 10 Apr 2025
Posts: 2,720
Own Kudos:
2,258
 [1]
Given Kudos: 763
Location: India
WE:Sales (Energy)
Posts: 2,720
Kudos: 2,258
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
The lengths of the sides of an obtuse-angled triangle are x, y, and z, where x, y and z are integers. If xy = 4, what is the value of z?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

xy = 4
1*4 = 4 OR 4*1 = 4 OR 2*2 = 4
So z can't be either 1 or 4 since the triangle would not remain an obtuse angled triangle as:
[x,y,z] = [1,4,1] is an isosceles triangle not obtuse angled triangle
[x,y,z] = [1,4,4] is an isosceles triangle not obtuse angled triangle
Strike out option A, and D.

z also can't be 2 since the triangle becomes an equilateral triangle as
[x,y,z] = [2,2,2] is an equilateral triangle not obtuse angled triangle
Strike out option B.

Finally, z can't be 5 since it would invalidate properties of triangle and triangle formation is not possible as
[x,y,z] = [2,2,5] - the largest side has to be < 4
Strike out option E.

So, possible sides of triangle are 2,2,3. Hence C.

Answer C.
User avatar
ankitgoswami
Joined: 20 Dec 2019
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 87
Own Kudos:
136
 [1]
Given Kudos: 74
Posts: 87
Kudos: 136
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Since it is given that x,y &z are integers. Therefore, from xy =4, we can say that the possible values are 2 x 2 or 4 x 1.

Case 1 : 4 x 1

In this case the third side can only be 4

But this doesn't satisfy the condition of
a^2 + b^2 < c^2

Case 2 : 2 x 2
Third side in this case can take three values = 1,2,3

Can't be 2 - will become equilateral
Can't be 1
Its 3 as it satisfies the above equation as well

So it's C

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
Fdambro294
Joined: 10 Jul 2019
Last visit: 20 Aug 2025
Posts: 1,350
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1,656
Posts: 1,350
Kudos: 742
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Concept 1: given 2 known sides (A and B) and 1 unknown side (X), the triangle inequality theorem holds that

(A - B) < X < (A + B)

Concept 2: given any obtuse triangle in which one angle is greater than 90 degrees and the other two angles are less than 90 degrees - given that L = length of longest side across from the obtuse angle and P and Q are the lengths of the 2 shorter sides, the following inequality must hold true for an obtuse triangle:

(L)^2 > (P)^2 + (Q)^2


Given that X, Y, and Z are integer side lengths and X * Y = 4, we have two possible scenarios:

Scenario 1: X = 1 and Y = 4 and Z is the unknown side

Triangle inequality theorem ——>
(4 - 1) < Z < (4 + 1)

3 < Z < 5

The only integer value for Z must be 4

Z = 4; X = 1; Y = 4

Inequality for Obtuse Triangle:

(4)^2 > (1)^2 + (4)^2 ——— does NOT hold true. Thus, the sides of X and Y are not 1 and 4


Scenario 2. X = 2 and Y = 2 and Z is unknown

(2 - 2) < Z < (2 + 2)

0 < Z < 4

Z can equal 1, 2, or 3

In order to be an obtuse triangle, the only possible value for Z is 3 because then Z would be the longest side across from the obtuse angle and:

(3)^2 > (2)^2 + (2)^2

9 > 8 ———- satisfied

If Z = 1 or 2, then we can not satisfy this inequality for an obtuse triangle


Answer: Z = 3

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
bumpbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 09 Sep 2013
Last visit: 04 Jan 2021
Posts: 38,589
Own Kudos:
Posts: 38,589
Kudos: 1,079
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello from the GMAT Club BumpBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
Moderators:
Math Expert
105390 posts
Tuck School Moderator
805 posts