2012 AMC 10A Problem 8

Attempt Problem 8 of the 2012 AMC 10A below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2012 AMC 10A solutions, or check the answer key.

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8.

The sums of three whole numbers taken in pairs are 12,17,12, 17, and 19.19. What is the middle number?

44

55

66

77

88

Answer: D
Concepts:system of equations
Difficulty rating: 1020
Solution:

Let the three numbers be a,b,ca, b, c where a<b<c.a \lt b \lt c. None of them are equal, since all three sums are different.

Then a+b=12,a+c=17, a + b = 12, a + c = 17, and b+c=19. b + c = 19.

Adding all three equations together gives us 2(a+b+c)=48. 2(a + b + c) = 48.

Then a+b+c=24, a + b + c = 24, from which we can subtract a+c=17, a + c = 17, to get b=7.b = 7.

Thus, D is the correct answer.

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