If x and y are positive integers and 7 + x + y + xy = 21, what is the value of x + y?
If x and y are positive integers and 7 + x + y + xy = 21, what is the value of x + y?
Answer/Solution
6
Steps/Work
Try each answer choices.
For A: 7 + 3 + xy = 21; xy = 11 (impossible, 11 prime number. 1 + 11 doesn't equal 3)
For B: 7 + 5 + xy = 21; xy = 9 (no combination of xy = 9 and x + y = 5)
For C: 7 + 6 + xy = 21; xy = 8 (x + y = 6; x = 2, y = 4 or x = 4, y = 2)
For D: 7 + 8 + xy = 21; xy = 6 (no combination of xy = 6 and x + y = 8)
For E: 7 + 9 + xy = 21; xy = 5 (impossible, 5 prime number. 1 + 5 doesn't equal 9)
Therefore, answer C.
For A: 7 + 3 + xy = 21; xy = 11 (impossible, 11 prime number. 1 + 11 doesn't equal 3)
For B: 7 + 5 + xy = 21; xy = 9 (no combination of xy = 9 and x + y = 5)
For C: 7 + 6 + xy = 21; xy = 8 (x + y = 6; x = 2, y = 4 or x = 4, y = 2)
For D: 7 + 8 + xy = 21; xy = 6 (no combination of xy = 6 and x + y = 8)
For E: 7 + 9 + xy = 21; xy = 5 (impossible, 5 prime number. 1 + 5 doesn't equal 9)
Therefore, answer C.