Art of Problem Solving

1998 CEMC Gauss (Grade 8) Problems/Problem 2: Difference between revisions

Anabel.disher (talk | contribs)
Created page with "==Problem== The smallest number in the set <math>\{0, -17, 4, 3, -2\}</math> is <math> \text{ (A) }\ -17 \qquad\text{ (B) }\ 4 \qquad\text{ (C) }\ -2 \qquad\text{ (D) }\ 0..."
 
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m Solution: -2, not 2 :p
 
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<math> \text{ (A) }\ -17 \qquad\text{ (B) }\ 4 \qquad\text{ (C) }\ -2 \qquad\text{ (D) }\ 0 \qquad\text{ (E) }\ 3 </math>   
<math> \text{ (A) }\ -17 \qquad\text{ (B) }\ 4 \qquad\text{ (C) }\ -2 \qquad\text{ (D) }\ 0 \qquad\text{ (E) }\ 3 </math>   
==Solution==
==Solution==
The set has negative numbers, meaning any positive numbers or <math>0</math> cannot be the smallest number. This means that all we need to do is compare <math>-17</math> and <math>2</math>.
The set has negative numbers, meaning any positive numbers or <math>0</math> cannot be the smallest number. This means that all we need to do is compare <math>-17</math> and <math>-2</math>.


<math>\boxed {\textbf {(A) } -17}</math> is the smaller of the two.
<math>\boxed {\textbf {(A) } -17}</math> is the smaller of the two.


~anabel.disher
~anabel.disher

Latest revision as of 23:09, 4 September 2025

Problem

The smallest number in the set $\{0, -17, 4, 3, -2\}$ is

$\text{ (A) }\ -17 \qquad\text{ (B) }\ 4 \qquad\text{ (C) }\ -2 \qquad\text{ (D) }\ 0 \qquad\text{ (E) }\ 3$

Solution

The set has negative numbers, meaning any positive numbers or $0$ cannot be the smallest number. This means that all we need to do is compare $-17$ and $-2$.

$\boxed {\textbf {(A) } -17}$ is the smaller of the two.

~anabel.disher