Are the number of equations sufficient?

Algebra Level 4

Let four numbers a < b < c < d a<b<c<d . They can be paired in six different ways. If each pair has a different sum , and if the four smallest sums are 1,11,21 and 31.

Find sum of all the possible values of d . d.


The answer is 66.

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1 solution

Prince Loomba
Aug 6, 2016

Least value = a + b = 1 a+b=1

2nd least value= a + c = 11 a+c=11

3 r d 3rd and 4 t h 4th values are 21 21 and 31 31 of b + c b+c and a + d a+d , but in any order

So we have 2 2 pairs of 4 4 variable 4 4 equation, i.e.

a + b = 1 , a + c = 11 , b + c = 21 , a + d = 31 a+b=1,a+c=11,b+c=21,a+d=31

And

a + b = 1 , a + c = 11 , b + c = 31 , a + d = 21 a+b=1,a+c=11,b+c=31,a+d=21

Solving we get 2 2 possible values of d as 30.5 30.5 and 35.5 35.5 , which sum up to 66 \boxed {66} .

Note:

Here I have not considered b + d b+d and c + d c+d as they are the largest terms and sum of 4 4 smallest terms is given.

And a < b a <b and d > c d>c implies that no comparison can be made between a + d a+d and b + c b+c . Either can be greater as adding the two mentioned inequalities can result in either > , = , < >,=,< sign

nice solution

Abhinav Jha - 4 years, 10 months ago

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Thanks, did you understand last statement in the note?

Prince Loomba - 4 years, 10 months ago

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yes as the variables can be any real number. so we can intuitively make many examples supporting your NOTE.

Abhinav Jha - 4 years, 10 months ago

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@Abhinav Jha Yes you got the idea somewhat

Prince Loomba - 4 years, 10 months ago

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