Since any even number must be divisible by 2, any even multiple of 15 must be divisible by 2 and by 15, or in other words, must be divisible by 30. As a result, finding the sum of even multiples of 15 is equivalent to finding the sum of multiples of 30. By observation, the first multiple of 30 greater than 295 will be equal to 300 and the last multiple of 30 smaller than 615 will be equal to 600.
Thus, since there are no multiples of 30 between 295 and 299 and between 601 and 615, finding the sum of all multiples of 30 between 295 and 615, inclusive, is equivalent to finding the sum of all multiples of 30 between 300 and 600, inclusive. Therefore, we can rephrase the question: “What is the greatest prime factor of the sum of all multiples of 30 between 300 and 600, inclusive?”
The sum of a set = (the mean of the set) × (the number of terms in the set)
Since 300 is the 10th multiple of 30, and 600 is the 20th multiple of 30, we need to count all multiples of 30 between the 10th and the 20th multiples of 30, inclusive.
There are 11 terms in the set: 20th – 10th + 1 = 10 + 1 = 11
The mean of the set = (the first term + the last term) divided by 2: (300 + 600) / 2 = 450
k = the sum of this set = 450 × 11
Note, that since we need to find the greatest prime factor of k, we do not need to compute the actual value of k, but can simply break the product of 450 and 11 into its prime factors:
k = 450 × 11 = 2 × 3 × 3 × 5 × 5 × 11
Therefore, the largest prime factor of k is 11.
The correct answer is C.