5th Grade Math Question

Math Tutor wrote:

I was tutoring a 5th grade student today and on her homework was the following question. I'd like to know if the geniuses of LRC can get it right.

I am a common factor of 120 and 150. I am odd. I am not prime. What am I?

Common factors=2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 30

Odd common factors: 3, 5, 15

Non-prime common factor: 15

15

easy peasy wrote:

Common factors=2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 30

Odd common factors: 3, 5, 15

Non-prime common factor: 15

So easy you forgot the number 1 in both common factors and odd common factors. If you must post extraneous information, at least be accurate.

adksfjod wrote:

easy peasy wrote:

Common factors=2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 30

Odd common factors: 3, 5, 15

Non-prime common factor: 15

So easy you forgot the number 1 in both common factors and odd common factors. If you must post extraneous information, at least be accurate.

sorry, was scrubbing my skid marks

You are 1 and 15.

I've got to say, I am not surprised, but no one has gotten it yet.

Actually, several here have gotten it. If you think differently, please stop tutoring. Thank you.

Okay Jimmy Remy, if you think several had gotten it. What is the correct answer?

Are you incapable of reading the thread?

Math Mann wrote:

You are 1 and 15.

A reasonable assumption is that it is a single number; thus not "1 and 15".

1 or 15 would be good answer. The only other semi-reasonable answer is 1 or -1 or 15 or -15.

To the OP: The folks that answered 1 and those that answered 15 got it correct. If you are thinking you are oh-so-clever by claiming these are not the correct answers it is certainly true that you are oh-so-lame.

Sorry, Jimmy Remy, but the correct answer is 600. Now go back to school.

Math Tutor wrote:

I am a common factor of 120 and 150. I am odd. I am not prime. What am I?

Math Tutor wrote:

I've got to say, I am not surprised, but no one has gotten it yet.

Umm, I suck at math, but...

120/15 = 8

150/15=10

So 15 is a common factor, yes?

15 is odd.

15 is not prime.

Why not 15? What am I missing? Stop trolling!

Thank you Math Mann. 1 or 15 is the correct answer.

One is not considered a prime number by most mathematicians.

https://simple.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_number

One is the loneliest number wrote:

One is not considered a prime number by most mathematicians.

https://simple.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_number

Fascinating.

But if you would read the OP's question you would conclude that your factoid is also irrelevant.

You are very correct. 1 is not a prime number, hence why it is a part of the correct answer.

Math Tutor wrote:

Thank you Math Mann. 1 or 15 is the correct answer.

You are welcome. But it's 1 AND 15 are the correct answers.

Happy to help.

Ghey?

Math Mann wrote:

Math Tutor wrote:

Thank you Math Mann. 1 or 15 is the correct answer.

You are welcome. But it's 1 AND 15 are the correct answers.

Happy to help.

If either of you wise guys had read the question correctly you'd have noticed it asks for "a" number, i.e. a unique solution. There is no such number as "1 or 15" or "1 and 15." The correct answer is that there's not enough information given.

You can both have half credit for showing your work. But when you want to be a wise guy you better dot all your t's and cross all your i's.