What is the largest even integer that cannot be written as the sum of 2 odd composite numbers?
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Let n be an integer that cannot be written as the sum of two odd composite numbers. If n > 3 3 , then n − 9 , n − 1 5 , n − 2 1 , n − 2 5 , n − 2 7 and n − 3 3 must all be prime [or n − 3 3 = 1 , which yields n = 3 4 = 9 + 2 5 , which doesn't work]. Thus n − 9 , n − 1 5 , n − 2 1 , n − 2 7 and n − 3 3 by forming prime quintuplet. However only one prime quintuplet exists as exactly one of those 5 numbers must be divisible by 5. This prime quintuplet is 5, 11, 17, 23 and 29, yielding a maximum answer of 38. Since 3 8 − 2 5 = 1 3 , which is prime, the answer is 3 8