Problem 31.1 Easy Free

Four Integers from Pair Products

Four positive integers AA, BB, CC, DD satisfy AB=16AB=16, BC=14BC=14, and CD=63CD=63. Find A+B+C+DA+B+C+D.

Work it out, then compare with the answer.

SolutionShow the worked solution

BB divides both AB=16AB=16 and BC=14BC=14, so B∣gcd⁡(16,14)=2B \mid \gcd(16,14)=2. Likewise CC divides both BC=14BC=14 and CD=63CD=63, so C∣gcd⁡(14,63)=7C \mid \gcd(14,63)=7.

Hence B≤2B\le 2 and C≤7C\le 7. Since BC=14=2⋅7BC=14=2\cdot 7, both bounds must be attained: B=2B=2 and C=7C=7.

Then A=16/2=8A=16/2=8 and D=63/7=9D=63/7=9. The quadruple (8,2,7,9)(8,2,7,9) satisfies all three equations, and it is the only solution. Therefore

A+B+C+D=8+2+7+9=26.A+B+C+D=8+2+7+9=26.
26\boxed{26}