Not so constant sum?

Algebra Level 2

I have 5 numbers the sum of any 3 of which is 15. Is it true that the sum of the five numbers must be 25?

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1 solution

Let a , b , c , d a, b, c, d , and e e be the five numbers. Hence ( a + b + c ) + ( a + b + d ) + ( a + b + e ) + ( a + c + d ) + + ( c + d + e ) = 15 + 15 + 15 + + 15 = ( 5 3 ) × 15 = 150 6 a + 6 b + 6 c + 6 d + 6 e = 150 Note that ( 4 2 ) = 6 a + b + c + d + e = 150 6 = 25 \begin{aligned} (a+b+c)+(a+b+d)+(a+b+e)+(a+c+d)+\dots + (c+d+e) & = 15+15+15+\dots+15 \\ & = \binom{5}{3} \times 15 \\ & = 150 \\ 6a+6b+6c+6d+6e & = 150 &\text{Note that} \binom{4}{2}=6 \\ \ \\ \Longrightarrow a+b+c+d+e & = \dfrac{150}{6} = \boxed{25} \end{aligned}


Here is an example: a = b = c = d = e = 5 a=b=c=d=e=5 .

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