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)
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
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