Difference between revisions of "1993 UNCO Math Contest II Problems/Problem 3"

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== Solution ==
 
== Solution ==
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Let the numbers be <math>x</math>, <math>y</math>, <math>z</math>, and <math>w</math>. Writing in terms of these, we have:
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<math>x+y=9</math>
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<math>x+z=18</math>
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<math>x+w=21</math>
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<math>y+z=23</math>
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<math>y+w=26</math>
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<math>z+w=35</math>.
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Adding these up, we have <math>3x+3y+3z+3w=132</math>, so <math>x+y+z+w=44</math>. Adding the first two equations, we get <math>2x+y+z=27</math>. Subtracting this, we obtain <math>w-x=17</math>. Adding to the third equation, we have <math>2w=38</math>, so <math>w=19</math>. Substituting, we have <math>x=2</math>. <math>y=7</math>, and <math>z=16 \Rightarrow \boxed{(2, 7, 16, 19)}</math> as one of our solutions.
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*second solution needed
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Revision as of 22:08, 13 February 2018

Problem

A student thinks of four numbers. She adds them in pairs to get the six sums $9,18,21,23,26,35.$ What are the four numbers? There are two different solutions.


Solution

Let the numbers be $x$, $y$, $z$, and $w$. Writing in terms of these, we have:

$x+y=9$

$x+z=18$

$x+w=21$

$y+z=23$

$y+w=26$

$z+w=35$.

Adding these up, we have $3x+3y+3z+3w=132$, so $x+y+z+w=44$. Adding the first two equations, we get $2x+y+z=27$. Subtracting this, we obtain $w-x=17$. Adding to the third equation, we have $2w=38$, so $w=19$. Substituting, we have $x=2$. $y=7$, and $z=16 \Rightarrow \boxed{(2, 7, 16, 19)}$ as one of our solutions.

  • second solution needed

See also

1993 UNCO Math Contest II (ProblemsAnswer KeyResources)
Preceded by
Problem 2
Followed by
Problem 4
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
All UNCO Math Contest Problems and Solutions