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2011 AMC 12B Problems/Problem 13: Difference between revisions

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Assume that <math>y-z=a, x-y=b, w-x=c.</math>  
Assume that <math>y-z=a, x-y=b, w-x=c.</math>  
<math>w-z</math> results in the greatest pairwise difference, and thus it is <math>9</math>.  
<math>w-z</math> results in the greatest pairwise difference, and thus it is <math>9</math>.  
which means <math>a+b+c=9</math>. <math>a,b,c</math> must be in the set <math>{1,3,4,5,6}</math>.
This means <math>a+b+c=9</math>. <math>a,b,c</math> must be in the set <math>{1,3,4,5,6}</math>.
The only way for 3 numbers in the set to add up to 9 is if they are <math>1,3,5</math>.  
The only way for 3 numbers in the set to add up to 9 is if they are <math>1,3,5</math>.  
<math>a+b</math>, and <math>b+c</math> then must be the remaining two numbers which are <math>4</math> and <math>6</math>.
<math>a+b</math>, and <math>b+c</math> then must be the remaining two numbers which are <math>4</math> and <math>6</math>.
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The sum of the two w's is <math>15+16=31</math> <math>\boxed{B}</math>
The sum of the two w's is <math>15+16=31</math> <math>\boxed{B}</math>
== See also ==
== See also ==
{{AMC12 box|year=2011|ab=B|num-b=12|num-a=14}}
{{AMC12 box|year=2011|ab=B|num-b=12|num-a=14}}

Revision as of 21:30, 26 June 2011

Problem

Brian writes down four integers $w > x > y > z$ whose sum is $44$. The pairwise positive differences of these numbers are $1, 3, 4, 5, 6$ and $9$. What is the sum of the possible values of $w$?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 16 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 31 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 48 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 62 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 93$

Solution

Assume that $y-z=a, x-y=b, w-x=c.$ $w-z$ results in the greatest pairwise difference, and thus it is $9$. This means $a+b+c=9$. $a,b,c$ must be in the set ${1,3,4,5,6}$. The only way for 3 numbers in the set to add up to 9 is if they are $1,3,5$. $a+b$, and $b+c$ then must be the remaining two numbers which are $4$ and $6$. the ordering of $(a,b,c)$ must be either $(3,1,5)$ or $(5,1,3)$.

Case 1 $(a,b,c)=(3,1,5)$ $x=w-5$ $y=w-5-1$ $x=w-5-1-3$ $w+x+y+z=4w-20=44$ $w=16$

Case 2 $(a,b,c)=(5,1,3)$ $x=w-3$ $y=w-3-1$ $x=w-3-1-5$ $w+x+y+z=4w-16=44$ $w=15$

The sum of the two w's is $15+16=31$ $\boxed{B}$

See also

2011 AMC 12B (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 12 		Followed by
Problem 14
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25
All AMC 12 Problems and Solutions
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