Sum of positive integers A, B, C

CAT 2020 Slot 1 · QA · Medium · Averages

Let A, B and C be three positive integers such that the sum of A and the mean of B and C is 5. In addition, the sum of B and the mean of A and C is 7. Then the sum of A and B is

  1. A.

    6

  2. B.

    4

  3. C.

    7

  4. D.

    5

Answer

A

Explanation

We are given:

  1. A+B+C2=5    2A+B+C=10A + \frac{B + C}{2} = 5 \implies 2A + B + C = 10
  2. B+A+C2=7    A+2B+C=14B + \frac{A + C}{2} = 7 \implies A + 2B + C = 14

Subtract equation (1) from equation (2): (A+2B+C)(2A+B+C)=1410(A + 2B + C) - (2A + B + C) = 14 - 10 BA=4    B=A+4B - A = 4 \implies B = A + 4

Substitute B=A+4B = A + 4 into equation (1): 2A+(A+4)+C=10    3A+C=62A + (A + 4) + C = 10 \implies 3A + C = 6

Since AA and CC are positive integers: If A=1A = 1, C=3C = 3, which gives B=1+4=5B = 1 + 4 = 5. Then A+B=1+5=6A + B = 1 + 5 = 6.

(If A2A \ge 2, C0C \le 0, which contradicts CC being a positive integer).

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