Given three pairwise distinct positive integers , , , whose product is . Determine the smallest possible prime sum of these numbers.
Solution
Clearly, their sum is greater than , so the prime sum has to be odd. Since all three numbers can't be odd simultaneously, since their product is , then two numbers are even and one is odd. There are exactly two odd divisors of : and . Consider these cases.
, the following is possible:
, , is prime.
, , is not prime.
, , is not prime.
, , is prime and less than .
, , .
, the following is possible:
, , is not prime.
, , is not prime.
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