1984 AMC 12 Problem 3

Attempt Problem 3 of the 1984 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1984 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

3.

Let nn be the smallest nonprime integer greater than 11 with no prime factor less than 10.10. Then
100<n≤110100\lt n\le110
110<n≤120110\lt n\le120
120<n≤130120\lt n\le130
130<n≤140130\lt n\le140
140<n≤150140\lt n\le150
Answer: C
Concepts:prime factorizationextremal argument
Small hint:
The smallest permitted prime factor is 1111
Big hint:
To make the smallest composite, use the two smallest permitted prime factors
Solution:
Every prime factor of nn is at least 11.11. The smallest composite with that property is 11⋅11=121,11\cdot11=121, which lies in 120<n≤130.120\lt n\le130.
Therefore, the correct answer is C.
LIVE by Po-Shen Loh
Programs

LIVE Classes

Self-Paced Classes

Stars

Scholarship

About Us

Who Is Po-Shen Loh?

Email Contact

Newsletter

Jobs

Become a Star

For a more Thought Full world.

© 2026 Expii, Inc.