SOLUTION: If a and b are negative integers such that a – b = -2, then what is the last possible value of ab?

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Question 343415: If a and b are negative integers such that a – b = -2, then what is the last possible value of ab?
Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


I'm going to go way out on a limb here and presume that "...what is the last possible value of ab?" ACTUALLY means "...what is the least possible value of ab?"

If , then .

Since both and are negative, their product must be positive. Therefore the two values of and that are closest to zero will give the minimum product.

Zero is not a negative integer, so the closest could be to zero is for . That means . And then .

By the way, the next time you post, take a couple of seconds to proofread your input. It is exceedingly impolite of you to simply dash off a question with misspellings that require us (all UNPAID volunteers) to guess what you actually mean. Have a little consideration for people who are doing WORK for YOU without compensation.

John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it