What is the greatest possible sum of a and b if they have a product of -48?

Question

Two integers, a and b have a product of -48. What is the greatest possible sum of a and b?

Answer 1

To have the largest possible sum you

need the largest possible positive

factor and smallest possible negative 

factor of -48

 

That will be 48-1=47

 

-1(48)... 47

-2(24)... 22

-3(16)... 13

-4(12)... 8

-6(8)... 2

 

Reversng the signs on each set of factors

will result in negative sums.