Last visit was: 23 Apr 2026, 00:40 It is currently 23 Apr 2026, 00:40
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
lumone
Joined: 25 Nov 2006
Last visit: 26 Oct 2010
Posts: 275
Own Kudos:
298
 [139]
Schools:St Gallen, Cambridge, HEC Montreal
Posts: 275
Kudos: 298
 [139]
17
Kudos
Add Kudos
119
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
avatar
pmenon
Joined: 28 Dec 2005
Last visit: 01 Jul 2009
Posts: 691
Own Kudos:
619
 [33]
Given Kudos: 2
Posts: 691
Kudos: 619
 [33]
24
Kudos
Add Kudos
9
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
sanjna2023
Joined: 17 Feb 2017
Last visit: 31 Jan 2024
Posts: 76
Own Kudos:
53
 [16]
Given Kudos: 629
Location: India
GMAT 1: 680 Q48 V35
GPA: 4
WE:Consulting (Consulting)
Products:
10
Kudos
Add Kudos
6
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
FN
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 28 Dec 2004
Last visit: 07 May 2012
Posts: 1,575
Own Kudos:
687
 [1]
Given Kudos: 2
Location: New York City
Concentration: Social Enterprise
Schools:Wharton'11 HBS'12
Posts: 1,575
Kudos: 687
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
-42..
took some time..would love to see a short cut..

14*3=42 14-3=11
User avatar
lumone
Joined: 25 Nov 2006
Last visit: 26 Oct 2010
Posts: 275
Own Kudos:
298
 [6]
Schools:St Gallen, Cambridge, HEC Montreal
Posts: 275
Kudos: 298
 [6]
5
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I have managed to solve it, but I am wondering whether there is a more efficient process.

I've done as below:

x + y = 11
x= 11-y


xy=(11-y)y=11y-y^2

Then, I plugged in with:
y=1 -> xy=11-1=10
y=2 -> xy=22-4=18
y=3 -> xy=33-9=24
y=4 -> xy=44-16=28
y=5 -> xy=55-25=30
y=6 -> xy=66-36=30
y=7 -> xy=77-49=28

Then I thought, that xy must be negative, then started to plug-in negative numbers:
y=-1 -> xy=-11-1=-12
y=-2 -> xy=-22-4=-26
y=-3 -> xy=-33-9=-42

Bingo! But this takes far too long. Can anyone help?
User avatar
purefocus428
Joined: 27 Mar 2008
Last visit: 13 Jun 2008
Posts: 26
Own Kudos:
7
 [2]
Posts: 26
Kudos: 7
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Yeah, there doesn't seem to be an easy way to just plug stuff in and solve algebraically. My method may shed some light though:

let the two numbers be x and y, and N be the answer

With the given information, I know that
xy=N and that x+y = 11

which gives:
x(11-x)=N
11x-x^2=N
0 = x^2 - 11x + N
0=(x ?)(x ?)

At this point, I had the following thoughts:

(A) -42 : to get -42, it must be (x + ?)(x - ?) so how can a positive and negative number add to -11 and yet still multiply together for -42?
(B) -28 : similar thought process to (A) if you didn't start by evaluating A first
(C) 12: (x + ?)(x + ?) or (x - ?)(x - ?)
(D) 26
(E) 32


Truthfully, this is one of those questions where going through the entire calculation may not be necessary and just trying out numbers would be quicker.
User avatar
FN
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 28 Dec 2004
Last visit: 07 May 2012
Posts: 1,575
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 2
Location: New York City
Concentration: Social Enterprise
Schools:Wharton'11 HBS'12
Posts: 1,575
Kudos: 687
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
neat..same as my method but its not short enough took a valuabe 50 seconds ..cause i started with answer choice E...


pmenon
a+b=11

a*b=42

a*(11-a) = 42

a^2 - 11a + 42 = 0

(a-14)(a+3) --> a=14 is a valid solution. therefore, b=-3 .... a+b = 14-3 = 11 and a*b=(14)*(-3) = -42
User avatar
Ralphcuisak
Joined: 07 Mar 2013
Last visit: 04 Jun 2016
Posts: 270
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 444
Status:The Final Countdown
Concentration: Technology, General Management
GMAT 1: 710 Q47 V41
GPA: 3.84
WE:Information Technology (Computer Software)
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel , Any neat solution for this one please?
:(
User avatar
mvictor
User avatar
Board of Directors
Joined: 17 Jul 2014
Last visit: 14 Jul 2021
Posts: 2,118
Own Kudos:
1,276
 [1]
Given Kudos: 236
Location: United States (IL)
Concentration: Finance, Economics
GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V30
GPA: 3.92
WE:General Management (Transportation)
Products:
GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V30
Posts: 2,118
Kudos: 1,276
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
A+B=11
A=1 B=10 -> AB=10 no
A=2 B=9 -> 18 no
A=3 B=8 - no
A=4 B=7 - NO
A=5 B=6 - NO
A=7 B=4 - NO
A=8 B=3 - NO
A=9 B=2 - NO
A=10 B=1 - N0
A=11 B=0 - NO
A=12 B=-1 - NO
A=13 B=-2 - NO
A=14 B=-3 -> AB=-42. WE HAVE SUCH AN ANSWER, THUS A IS THE CORRECT ONE.
avatar
saiesta
Joined: 03 Jan 2015
Last visit: 15 Nov 2018
Posts: 59
Own Kudos:
320
 [3]
Given Kudos: 146
Posts: 59
Kudos: 320
 [3]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Answer A.

It helps to break down the answer choices into (prime) factors and adding the (prime) factors to see whether the sum might equal 11.

\(-42\) = \(2 * 21 * -1\) = \(2 * 7 * 3 * -1\)
Adding the factors together yields 11 --> \(2 + 7 + 3 -1 = 11\)
User avatar
ENGRTOMBA2018
Joined: 20 Mar 2014
Last visit: 01 Dec 2021
Posts: 2,319
Own Kudos:
3,889
 [4]
Given Kudos: 816
Concentration: Finance, Strategy
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V44
GPA: 3.7
WE:Engineering (Aerospace and Defense)
Products:
GMAT 1: 750 Q49 V44
Posts: 2,319
Kudos: 3,889
 [4]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
saiesta
Answer A.

It helps to break down the answer choices into (prime) factors and adding the (prime) factors to see whether the sum might equal 11.

\(-42\) = \(2 * 21 * -1\) = \(2 * 7 * 3 * -1\)
Adding the factors together yields 11 --> \(2 + 7 + 3 -1 = 11\)

-1 is NOT a prime factor. Prime factors as per the definition are positive integers. You were lucky with your approach.

The simplest way is to realize that x+y=11 for which xy = options given. When you see option (A), it should trigger the observation that you can even use negative integers.

Factors of 42 : 1,2,3,6,7,14,21,42 (and their negative counterparts). Now see that -3 and 14 are in this group and 14+(-3)=11 (14*-3=-42). Thus A is the correct answer.

Hope this helps.
User avatar
shra1raju
Joined: 31 Mar 2015
Last visit: 24 Mar 2019
Posts: 30
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 154
Location: United States (IL)
Concentration: Marketing, General Management
Schools: Sauder '20
GMAT Date: 06-26-2015
GMAT 1: 640 Q46 V32
GPA: 2.75
WE:Engineering (Computer Software)
Schools: Sauder '20
GMAT 1: 640 Q46 V32
Posts: 30
Kudos: 62
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
lumone
Which of the following is the product of two integers whose sum is 11?

(A) -42
(B) -28
(C) 12
(D) 26
(E) 32


I solved this Question like this,

Let the two integers are x,y
x+y=11 (Given)
xy=? (Needed)

instead of solving this algebraically, Test the Answer choices

A. -42
Do the factorization : (-1,42)----> There sum is not 11--eliminate
(-2,21)---->There sum is not 11--eliminate
(-3,14)-----> there sum is 11 Bingo!!!!

So, my answer is A...

As the answer is in A, it took me very less time to answer the question. but i think this method is be simple and efficient.
avatar
Mathivanan Palraj
Joined: 09 Jun 2015
Last visit: 06 Apr 2022
Posts: 56
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1
Posts: 56
Kudos: 42
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
lumone
Which of the following is the product of two integers whose sum is 11?

(A) -42
(B) -28
(C) 12
(D) 26
(E) 32

I just plugged in the values. If both the integers are positive, then their product will be positive. With positive options, we cannot plug in any values.
Therefore, one integer is positive and another is negative.
(12,1) or (13,2) or (14,3) and so on.
(14, -3) fits the answer.
User avatar
thangvietname
Joined: 09 Jun 2010
Last visit: 28 Jun 2017
Posts: 514
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 916
Posts: 514
Kudos: 573
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
hard one
two number can not both positive because after pick some positive number we can not have the result

5*6=30
4*7=28

one of them must be nagative

42= 2*3*7
we need factorization.

so 2*7 and 3 is ok.

A
User avatar
Himanshu9818
Joined: 13 Apr 2016
Last visit: 22 Feb 2017
Posts: 46
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 7
Location: India
GMAT 1: 640 Q50 V27
GPA: 3
WE:Operations (Hospitality and Tourism)
GMAT 1: 640 Q50 V27
Posts: 46
Kudos: 126
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
[quote="lumone"]Which of the following is the product of two integers whose sum is 11?

(A) -42
(B) -28
(C) 12
(D) 26
(E) 32

got it right after putting values.
any shortcut.
User avatar
Rebaz
Joined: 14 Feb 2014
Last visit: 22 Apr 2026
Posts: 145
Own Kudos:
38
 [1]
Given Kudos: 4,772
Posts: 145
Kudos: 38
 [1]
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
For the sum of two integers to be positive 11, the two integers could both be positive or one of it is positive and the other one is negative. Since the sum of the two integers is positive 11 , then the negative one must be smaller one of the two integers.

-3 + 14 = 11 and (-3)(14)= -42
User avatar
abhishekpasricha
Joined: 07 Nov 2013
Last visit: 08 Jun 2021
Posts: 29
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 475
Location: India
Concentration: Marketing, General Management
GPA: 3.77
WE:Consulting (Consulting)
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
pmenon


a*b=42

a*(11-a) = 42

how did you take a*b=42 , this was not given in the question
The only information given was a+b = 11
User avatar
CEdward
Joined: 11 Aug 2020
Last visit: 14 Apr 2022
Posts: 1,162
Own Kudos:
289
 [1]
Given Kudos: 332
Posts: 1,162
Kudos: 289
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Took me 3 minutes. But I saw this:

x + y = -11 --> odd + even = odd

Therefore,
odd x even = even...all of the choices are even.

Which odd/even numbers add to -11?
(-6) + (-5)
(-4) + (-7)
(-2) + (-9)
(-8) + (-3)
(-14) + (3) YES <-- only one that gives us a solution in the list.
User avatar
LaveenaPanchal
Joined: 06 Oct 2020
Last visit: 17 May 2024
Posts: 127
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 77
Location: India
Schools: ISB'22
Schools: ISB'22
Posts: 127
Kudos: 137
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
As per question we need to find the value of x (11-x) = 11x - x^2

we need to check all the values from Option A to E. Fortunately Option A provides us with the solutions with prime factorization of equation -x^2 + 11x + 42 = 0, (x+14) (x-3) = 0.

No other options satisfies the equation.

Hope it helps
User avatar
100mitra
Joined: 29 Apr 2019
Last visit: 06 Jul 2022
Posts: 707
Own Kudos:
634
 [1]
Given Kudos: 49
Status:Learning
Posts: 707
Kudos: 634
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Correct option : A

we all know formula with quadratic Equation for its roots (x-a)(x-b)

- a\({x^2}\) + bx + c

- (-b + \(\sqrt{{{b^2} - 4ac}}\)) / 2

- the only option gives Integer when substitute is (-42) rest all are fractions or decimals
 1   2   
Moderators:
Math Expert
109763 posts
Tuck School Moderator
853 posts