Quandaries and Queries
  


Name: Jane

Who is asking: Student
Level: Secondary

Question: When three numbers are added in pairs, the sums of the pairs are 22, 39, and 45. What are the three numbers?



Hi Jane,

You can set this up with equations. Suppose that the three numbers are a, b and c, then the three possible pair sums are

a + b = 22,
a + c = 39, and
b + c = 45 If you subtract the first equation from the second equation you get c - b = 17

Can you use this equation and the third equation three to find c?

Penny


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