Question

On a particular January day, the high temperature in Lincoln, Nebraska, was $16$ degrees higher than the low temperature, and the average of the high and low temperatures was $3$ degrees. What was the low temperature in Lincoln that day (in degrees)?

$-13$

$-8$

$-5$

$-3$

$11$

Answer: C

Concepts:mean linear equation

Difficulty rating: 560

Small Hint:

The high and low temperatures are equally spaced around the average

Big Hint:

The low temperature is $8$ degrees below the average

Solution:

Let $l$ represent the low temperature. Then the high temperature is $l+16.$

The average satisfies $\dfrac{l+l+16}2 = l+8 = 3.$ Therefore, $l = -5.$

Thus, the correct answer is C.

2013 AMC 10B Problem 3

Answer: C

Difficulty rating: 560

Small Hint:

Big Hint:

Solution:

Problem 3 in Other Years