Processing math: 100%
 
+0  
 
0
309
2
avatar

Four distinct integers a, b, c and d have the property that when added in pairs, the sums 10, 18, 19, 22, 23, 31 are obtained. What are the four integers in increasing order? (place a comma and then a space between each integer)

 Apr 15, 2022
 #1
avatar+2668 
+1

We have 6 equations: 

 

a+b=10    (1)

a+c=18    (2)

a+d=19    (3)

b+c=22     (4)

b+d=23    (5)

c+d=31    (6)

 

Using equations 2 and 3, we see that d=1+c

 

Subbing this into (6), we get: c+c+1=31, meaning c=15

 

Subbing this into (2), we find a=3

 

Subbing the value of c into (4), we find b=7

 

Subbing the value of c into (6), we find d=16

 

Thus, the values are 3,7,15,16

 Apr 15, 2022
 #2
avatar+130466 
+1

Let    a,b, c, d   be in increasing order

 

Using some logic....we know that 

a + b  = 10       (1)

a + c =  18       (2)

c + d =  31      (3)

b + d =  23      (4)

 

What we don't know is  that if

 

a + d =  19   or   a + d  =  22  or   b + c = 19  or   b + c =   22

 

To see which is true    subtract   (4)  from (1)    and we  get 

 

a - d  =  -13        (5)

 

Now let us assume that   a + d  =  22      (6)

 

Add (5) and (6)  and we get that

 

2a = 9             but a here is not an integer

 

So....it must be that

 

a + d = 19

 

So

 

a - d = -13

a + d = 19          add these

 

2a  = 6

 

So.....using our equations.....

 

a = 3

b = 7

c = 15

d = 16

 

 

cool cool cool

 Apr 15, 2022
edited by CPhill  Apr 15, 2022

1 Online Users