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Bunuel
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 25 Oct 2009, 20:53
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goldgoldandgold
Bunuel
ANSWERS:



10. The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45. What is the value of n?
(1) n is odd
(2) n >= 9

Look at the Q 1 we changed even to odd and n<9 to n>=9

(1) not sufficient see Q1.
(2) As we have consecutive positive integers max for n is 9: 1+2+3+...+9=45. (If n>9=10 first term must be zero. and we are given that all terms are positive) So only case n=9. Sufficient.

Answer: B.


sum of n integers = (n*(n+1))/2

(n*(n+1))/2 = 45 which yields n = 9 could be the only answer :lol:

Stmt 1 and 2 (D) are both sufficient.

Does GMAT assume that we would not indulge in any formula? Just curious :roll:
Show more

This is not correct.

First of all the formula you referring n(1+n)/2 is the formula for counting the sum of n FIRST integers (meaning that starting from 1). Question stem does not give us that information: "The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45." You can not assume anything.

The formula for counting the sum of consecutive integers (not necessarily first n integers), which is in fact sum of AP (arithmetic progression) is:
Sn=n*(a1+an)/2 or Sn=n*(2a1+d(n-1))/2, you can substitute d=1, as the numbers are consecutive.

If you further substitute a1 (the first term of the progression) with 1 you'll get exactly the formula you wrote: Sn=n(2+n-1)/2=n(n+1)/2

Second, you can find the n consecutive odd positive integers (n=odd) to total 45:
n=3 --> 14, 15, 16
n=5 --> 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.

Hope it's clear.
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 27 Oct 2009, 22:19
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Quote:
3. Multiplication of the two digit numbers wx and cx, where w,x and c are unique non-zero digits, the product is a three digit number. What is w+c-x?

(1) The three digits of the product are all the same and different from w c and x.
(2) x and w+c are odd numbers.

(1) wx+cx=aaa (111, 222, ... 999=37*k) --> As x is the units digit in both numbers, a can be 1,4,6 or 9 (2,3,7 out because x^2 can not end with 2,3, or 7. >>What about 8?5 is out because in that case x also should be 5 and we know that x and a are distinct numbers).
1 is also out because 111=37*3 and we need 2 two digit numbers.
444=37*12 no good we need units digit to be the same.
666=37*18 no good we need units digit to be the same.
999=37*27 is the only possibility all digits are distinct except the unit digits of multiples.
Sufficient

(2) x and w+c are odd numbers.
Number of choices: 13 and 23 or 19 and 29 and w+c-x is the different even number.

Answer: A.

Could somebody please elaborate the solution..i don't understand:(
Show more

8 is also not possible.
........................................................................

1. wx * cx = aaa (aaa can only be 111 (for 9), 444 (for 2), 666 (for 8), and 999 (for 3 and 7)). 222, 333, 555, 777, and 888 are not possible as noneo f the unit difgits of the 3 digit numbers is square of an integer.

wx * cx = 111 = 3x37. Not possible as there is only one 2 digit number. Needs 2 two digit numbers.
wx * cx = 444 = 2x3x37 = 6x37. Not possible as there is only one 2 digit number. Needs 2 two digit numbers.
wx * cx = 666 = 2x3x3x37 = 18x37. Not possible as the unit digit of these 2 digit numbers are not the same.
wx * cx = 999 = 3x3x3x37 = 27x37. Possible as the unit digit of these 2 digit numbers are same.


2. is self explanatory..
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 26 Dec 2009, 03:47
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please explain 2nd Q.


i want an example where XYZ can be prime using STATEMENT 1 ALONE
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 26 Dec 2009, 09:04
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jan4dday
please explain 2nd Q.


i want an example where XYZ can be prime using STATEMENT 1 ALONE
Show more

First note prime numbers are only positive. (Also note that \(x\), \(y\) and \(z\) are integers)

Q: \(xyz=p\), is \(p\) prime?

(1) \(x=-y\) --> \(p=-x^2z\). Let's check when this expression gives a prime number:

Well first of all \(p\) to be prime \(z\) MUST be negative, as \(p\) MUST be positive to be a prime.

Next if \(x>|1|\), (eg \(|2|\), \(|3|\), ...) OR equals to zero, \(p\) won't be prime. So \(x\) must be equal to \(|1|\).

But it's not enough. We'll have \(p=-x^2z=-z\), so \(p\) to be a prime number \(z\) must be equal to \(-prime\).

You are asking how using statement (1) \(p\) could be a prime: according to above, when \(|x|=1\) and \(z=-p\). eg.: \(x=-1\) --> \(y=1\) --> z\(=-7\) --> \(p=(-1)*1*(-7)=7\), which is prime.

Statement (1) may or may not give the prime number for \(xyz\). Not sufficient.

(2) \(z=1\) --> \(p=xy\). Again for \(p\) to be a prime number \(xy\) must be \(>0\) (both positive or both negative). Then if \(x=|prime|\) and \(y=|1|\), OR \(y=|prime|\) and \(x=|1|\), so that \(xy>0\), then \(xy\) is a prime number. For any other values or combinations of \(x\) and \(y\), \(p\) won't be a prime. Not sufficient.

(1)+(2) \(p=xyz=-x^2\) (as \(x=-y\) and \(z=1\)). \(-x^2\) is never positive, hence \(p\) is not a prime. Sufficient.

Answer: C.

Hope it's clear.
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 02 Jan 2010, 10:28
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Hi Bunuel.....

Would appreciate if you could explain this in detail as I am confused... :?

Thanks!
JT
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 02 Jan 2010, 11:58
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jeeteshsingh
Hi Bunuel.....

Would appreciate if you could explain this in detail as I am confused... :?

Thanks!
JT
Show more

If a and b are integers, and a not= b, is |a|b > 0?
(1) |a^b| > 0
(2) |a|^b is a non-zero integer.

\(|a|b > 0\) is true when \(b>0\) and \(a\) does not equal to zero.

(1) \(|a^b| > 0\) --> \(a\) does not equal to zero, but we don't know about \(b\), it can be any value, positive or negative. Not sufficient.

(2) \(|a|^b\) is a non-zero integer --> \(a\) can be 1 and \(b\) any integer, positive or negative. Not sufficient.

(1)+(2) If a=1 and b=2, then |a|b > 0, but if a=1 and b=-2, then |a|b <0. Not sufficient.

Answer: E.

This is the easiest way to solve this problem. In my previous solution I just tried to show what each statement means algebraically. Please tell which part needs more clarification.
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 03 Jan 2010, 03:14
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Bunuel


If a and b are integers, and a not= b, is |a|b > 0?
(1) |a^b| > 0
(2) |a|^b is a non-zero integer.

\(|a|b > 0\) is true when \(b>0\) and \(a\) does not equal to zero.

(1) \(|a^b| > 0\) --> \(a\) does not equal to zero, but we don't know about \(b\), it can be any value, positive or negative. Not sufficient.

(2) \(|a|^b\) is a non-zero integer --> \(a\) can be 1 and \(b\) any integer, positive or negative. Not sufficient.

(1)+(2) If a=1 and b=2, then |a|b > 0, but if a=1 and b=-2, then |a|b <0. Not sufficient.

Answer: E.

This is the easiest way to solve this problem. In my previous solution I just tried to show what each statement means algebraically. Please tell which part needs more clarification.
Show more

Not able to get why do you say this (marked in red)... I know that \(|a|\) would always give a positive value, but why cant we consider \(a\) as 2 or 3...? Any reason for this?
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 03 Jan 2010, 09:23
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jeeteshsingh
Bunuel


If a and b are integers, and a not= b, is |a|b > 0?
(1) |a^b| > 0
(2) |a|^b is a non-zero integer.

\(|a|b > 0\) is true when \(b>0\) and \(a\) does not equal to zero.

(1) \(|a^b| > 0\) --> \(a\) does not equal to zero, but we don't know about \(b\), it can be any value, positive or negative. Not sufficient.

(2) \(|a|^b\) is a non-zero integer --> \(a\) can be 1 and \(b\) any integer, positive or negative. Not sufficient.

(1)+(2) If a=1 and b=2, then |a|b > 0, but if a=1 and b=-2, then |a|b <0. Not sufficient.

Answer: E.

This is the easiest way to solve this problem. In my previous solution I just tried to show what each statement means algebraically. Please tell which part needs more clarification.

Not able to get why do you say this (marked in red)... I know that \(|a|\) would always give a positive value, but why cant we consider \(a\) as 2 or 3...? Any reason for this?
Show more

OK. For statement (2): First of all I'm not saying that \(a\) can ONLY be 1. I'm saying that it MAY be 1 and in this case \(b\) can take any value statement (2): "\(|a|^b\) is a non-zero integer " to hold true. So \(b\) can take positive as well as negative values, hence \(|a|b > 0\) may or may not be true. That's why (2) is not sufficient.


To elaborate further: we are told that \(|a|^b\) is A. not zero and B. it's an integer.

A. Means that \(a\) is not zero, as the only way \(|a|^b\) to be zero, is \(a\) to be zero.

B. \(|a|^b\) is an integer (non=zero). What does that mean?

When \(a\) is any integer so that \(|a|>1\) (eg 2, -2, 3, -3, ...), \(b\) can take any value but negative. Example: \(a=-3\) --> \(|-3|=3\), \(3\) in integer power (given \(a\) and \(b\) are integers) to be an integer, power (\(b\)), must be positive or zero, as when \(b\) is negative, let's say \(-2\), we'll have: \(3^{-2}=\frac{1}{3^2}\) which is not integer.

But when \(|a|=1\) (\(1\) or \(-1\)), then \(b\) can take ANY integer value as 1 in any power equals to 1 which is integer.

So from statement (2) we'll have:

\(a\) does not equals to 0. Plus, \(b\) can be ANY integer (positive or negative or zero) when \(|a|=1\) and \(b\) must be positive or zero when \(|a|>1\).

Hope it's clear.
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 18 Feb 2010, 13:38
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jeeteshsingh,

To further clarify what Bunuel was saying. If b was negative and a was not 1 or -1, then |a|^b would be a fraction due to the properties of negative exponents. If |a|=1 (meaning a=1 or a=-1) then the denominator of the fraction would be some power of 1 which is also one. In this case the fraction would be 1 over 1 which is again 1 and satisfies the conditions.

Also, Bunuel, for the second portion I noticed that you didn't include in your listed possibilities that for |a|^b is a non zero integer, b=0 is possible as it would create an answer of 1 for any value of a including 0.
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 18 Feb 2010, 14:07
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theturk123
jeeteshsingh,

To further clarify what Bunuel was saying. If b was negative and a was not 1 or -1, then |a|^b would be a fraction due to the properties of negative exponents. If |a|=1 (meaning a=1 or a=-1) then the denominator of the fraction would be some power of 1 which is also one. In this case the fraction would be 1 over 1 which is again 1 and satisfies the conditions.

Also, Bunuel, for the second portion I noticed that you didn't include in your listed possibilities that for |a|^b is a non zero integer, b=0 is possible as it would create an answer of 1 for any value of a including 0.
Show more

Welcome to the Gmat Club.

Your logic is correct. Though b=0 IS included as one of the possibilities. See the bolded part from the explanation:

Bunuel
So from statement (2) we'll have:

\(a\) does not equals to 0. Plus, \(b\) can be ANY integer (positive or negative or zero) when \(|a|=1\) and \(b\) must be positive or zero when \(|a|>1\).
Show more

You also mention \(0^0\) issue, this not the case for statement 2 (as \(a\) cannot be zero), but still as you brought this up:

\(0^0\), in some sources equals to 1, some mathematicians say it's undefined. Anyway you won't need this for GMAT:

"During the past decade, mathematicians argued extensively about the value of 0^0. Some answer that 0^0 = 1, while others answer that 0^0 is undefined. In the unlikely event that this question appears in some format or is a required intermediary calculation, the correct answer is more likely that 0^0 = 1."
https://www.platinumgmat.com/gmat_study_ ... ial_powers

and:
"Note: the case of 0^0 is not tested on the GMAT."
https://www.manhattangmat.com/np-exponents.cfm
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 15 Sep 2010, 10:06
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jax91
Bunuel

5. If a and b are integers, and a not= b, is |a|b > 0?
(1) |a^b| > 0
(2) |a|^b is a non-zero integer

|a|b > 0?

|a| is always +ve. So we need to know if b is +ve or -ve.

1.) mod of any number is +ve. Insuff.

2.) |a|^b is an integer.

we know a and b are integers.

so |a| is a +ve integer.

any +ve integer raised to a -ve integer will give us a fraction.

e.g. 4 ^ -3 = 1/ (4^3)

which will never be an integer.

so for |a|^b to be an integer b has to be +ve.

So its suff.

So B.
Show more


Hi,Can anyone explain me how |a| is positive?We generally look at the sign of any number before deciding its abs value..Right?But how come that is not followed here?
Generally we take
|x|=-x (x <0)
|x|=x (x>0) but y is |a| taken positive directly?In the question,it is just mentioned as an integer :?

Explanation plz..
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 15 Sep 2010, 10:16
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ravitejapandiri

Hi,Can anyone explain me how |a| is positive?We generally look at the sign of any number before deciding its abs value..Right?But how come that is not followed here?
Generally we take
|x|=-x (x <0)
|x|=x (x>0) but y is |a| taken positive directly?In the question,it is just mentioned as an integer :?

Explanation plz..
Show more

Seems that you need to brush up on absolute value. Please check Walker's post on Absolute Value at: math-absolute-value-modulus-86462.html

\(|x|=-x\), when \(x<0\) and \(|x|=x\) when \(x>0\) --> CORRECT.

But when \(x=negative<0\) then \(|x|=-x=-(negative)=positive\) and when \(x=positive>0\) then \(|x|=x=positive\), so in any case when \(x\) is either positive or negative \(|x|\) is still positive. There is one more case though: when \(x=0\) then \(|x|=0\).

So generally we can say that absolute value of an expression is alway non-negative: \(|some \ expression|\geq{0}\) --> \(|x|\geq{0}\).

As for this particular question: see my posts on it on pages 1, 2, and 3.

Hope it helps.
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 19 Dec 2010, 17:33
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Bunuel

4. Is y – x positive?
(1) y > 0
(2) x = 1 – y

Statement 1) y>0 Not suff, X could be anything larger or smaller than X.
Statement 2) x=1-y
x+y=1
Let x=3 and y=-2 then y-x < 0.
But if x=1/4 and y=3/4 then y-x >0
Not suff.

1 and 2 together)
From the example above we have:
if x=1/4 and y=3/4 then y-x >0
but if we flip it around:
if x=3/4 and y=1/4 then y-x <0
not suff.

ANS = E

I selected that both stmts were sufficient together because the examples I chose worked both ways so if x=-2 y=3 you get 3-(-2)=5 or if y=2 than x = (-1) so 2-(-1)=3. Can the insufficiency only be seen with fractional numbers? Thanks.
Show more

Yes, in order to get NO answer you should choose values of x and y from (0, 1), note that this range can give you the YES answer as well.

Is \(y-x>0\)? --> is \(y>x\)?

(1) y > 0, not sufficient as no info about \(x\).
(2) x = 1 - y --> \(x+y=1\) --> the sum of 2 numbers equal to 1 --> we can not say which one is greater. Not sufficient.

(1)+(2) \(x+y=1\) and \(y>0\), still can not determine which one is greater: if \(y=0.1>0\) and \(x=0.9\) then \(y<x\) but if \(y=0.9>0\) and \(x=0.1\) then \(y>x\). Not sufficient.

Answer: E.
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 31 Jan 2011, 06:48
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subhashghosh
Hi Bunuel

For question # 8, please explain how this is true :

either 4y=32 y=8 x=-3, xy=-24 OR -4y=32

Regards,
Subhash
Show more

If x and y are non-zero integers and |x| + |y| = 32, what is xy?

(1) \(-4x-12y=0\) --> \(x=-3y\) --> \(x\) and \(y\) have opposite signs.

So either: \(|x|=x\) and \(|y|=-y\) --> in this case \(|x|+|y|=x-y=-3y-y=-4y=32\): \(y=-8\), \(x=24\), \(xy=-24*8\);

OR: \(|x|=-x\) and \(|y|=y\) --> \(|x|+|y|=-x+y=3y+y=4y=32\) --> \(y=8\) and \(x=-24\) --> \(xy=-24*8\), the same answer.

Sufficient.

(2) \(|x| - |y| = 16\). Sum this one with th equations given in the stem --> \(2|x|=48\) --> \(|x|=24\), \(|y|=8\). \(xy=-24*8\) (x and y have opposite sign) or \(xy=24*8\) (x and y have the same sign). Multiple choices. Not sufficient.

Answer: A.
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 29 Jul 2012, 05:02
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dvinoth86
1. The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45. What is the value of n?
(1) n is even
(2) n < 9

Cant we use the formula for sum of n consecutive +ve integers (n)*(n+1)/2 = 45.

[/color]
n^2 +n -90 = 0
n=9 or -10
Show more

Cant we use the formula for sum of n consecutive +ve integers (n)*(n+1)/2 = 45.

This formula gives the sum of the first n consecutive positive integers: 1,2 3, ..., n.
Nowhere is stated that our sequence starts with 1.
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 29 Jul 2012, 05:10
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dvinoth86
1. The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45. What is the value of n?
(1) n is even
(2) n < 9

Cant we use the formula for sum of n consecutive +ve integers (n)*(n+1)/2 = 45
n^2 +n -90 = 0
n=9 or -10
Show more

As stated in the previous post \(\frac{n(n+1)}{2}\) gives the sum of first \(n\) positive integers: \(1+2+3+...+n=\frac{n(n+1)}{2}\) and we cannot use that formula since we are not told that we have this case. Check this for more: math-number-theory-88376.html (Evenly spaced set chapter).

Solution of this problem is as follows:

The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45. What is the value of n?

(1) n is even --> n can be 2: 22+23=45. But it also can be 6 --> x+(x+1)+(x+2)+(x+3)+(x+4)+(x+5)=45 --> x=5. At least two values of n are possible. Not sufficient.

(2) n<9 --> the above example is also valid for this statement, hence not sufficient.

(1)+(2) Still at least two values of n are possible. Not sufficient.

Answer: E.

Hope it's clear.
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 29 Jul 2012, 05:32
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Q1

The sum of n consecutive integers is either a multiple of the middle term, in case n is odd, or a multiple of the sum of the two middle terms, in case n is even.

(1) Since n is even and 45 is odd, we must have an odd number of pairs in our sequence, such that the sum of each pair is a factor of 45, and it is the same as the sum of the two middle terms.
For example, we can have just one pair (22, 23) - or three pairs, each sum being 45/3 = 15 - 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, with 5+10=6+9=7+8=15.
So, (1) is not sufficient.

(2) From what we have seen above, (2) is not sufficient either.
Just as an example, if n is odd and less than 9, we can have the sequence 14, 15, 16.

(1) and (2) taken together is obviously not sufficient.

Answer E
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 29 Jul 2012, 05:38
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Q7

Since the given equality must hold for any value of x, if we substitute x = 0, we obtain \(c=d^2\).

Then, we can immediately see that (1) alone is sufficient, but (2) is not.

Answer A
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 29 Jul 2012, 05:49
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Q2. Is a product of three integers XYZ a prime?
(1) X=-Y
(2) Z=1

(1) We can take X=1, then Y=-1, and taking Z any non-negative integer will get a non-prime, as the product will be either negative or 0.
But if we take X=1, Y=-1 and for example Z=-2, than XYZ=2, which is a prime.
Therefore, (1) is not sufficient.

(2) If Z=1, we can take Y=1 as well, and then either X is a prime or not, so the final product XYZ=X, can be or not a prime.
Not sufficient.

(1) and (2) together: If Z=1 and X=-Y, then \(XYZ=-X^2\), which can be either 0 (when X=0) or a negative integer.
In either case, we won't get a prime number (by definition, a prime must be a positive integer).
So, the answer is a definite NO, therefore sufficient.

Answer C
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The sum of n consecutive positive integers is 45 29 Jul 2012, 06:18
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Q3. Multiplication of the two digit numbers wx and cx, where w,x and c are unique non-zero digits, the product is a three digit number. What is w+c-x?
(1) The three digits of the product are all the same and different from w c and x.
(2) x and w+c are odd numbers.

(1) If the product is a three digit number, all digits identical, then the number must be of the form AAA=A*111=A*3*37, where A is a non-zero digit.
It means that x = 7, and 3A must be a two digit number, which also ends in 7. It follows that 3A = 27, so the numbers are 37 and 27, 37 * 27 = 999,
and w+c-x=5-2, sufficient (it doesn't matter who is w and who is c).

(2) Since w+c is odd, one of them must be even and the other one odd. Fro example, we can take w=2, c=1, x=3 or w=3, c=2, x=1.
23*13=299, 31*21=651, are both three digit numbers, and w+c-x is 0 and 4, respectively.
Not sufficient.

Answer A.

Remark: In the body of the question, w,x and c are unique non-zero digits, shouldn't be "distinct non-zero digits"?
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