The sum of three from the four numbers A, B, C, D are 3797, 3484, 3321 and…

2024

The sum of three from the four numbers A, B, C, D are 3797, 3484, 3321 and 3657. What is the largest of the numbers A, B, C, D?

  1. A.

    1678

  2. B.

    1544

  3. C.

    1568

  4. D.

    1432

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

Concept: When several sums are given, each formed by leaving out exactly one number from a set of n numbers, adding all of these given sums counts every individual number (n-1) times, since each number is excluded from only one sum. So the total of all n numbers equals (sum of the given sums) divided by (n-1); once the total is known, each individual number equals the total minus the sum that excluded it.

Application:

  1. Let T = A + B + C + D, the total of all four numbers.

  2. Add the four given three-number sums: 3797 + 3484 + 3321 + 3657 = 14259.

  3. Since each of A, B, C and D is included in exactly 3 of these 4 sums (and excluded from only 1), 14259 = 3T, so T = 14259 / 3 = 4753.

  4. Each individual number equals T minus the given sum that excluded it: 4753 - 3797 = 956; 4753 - 3484 = 1269; 4753 - 3321 = 1432; 4753 - 3657 = 1096.

  5. These four results, {956, 1269, 1432, 1096}, are A, B, C and D in some order; comparing them shows 1432 is the largest.

Cross-check: Adding the four derived individual values back together, 956 + 1269 + 1432 + 1096 = 4753, which matches the total T found above - confirming the working is consistent.

Result: The largest of the four numbers is 1432.

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