Problem:
Each of the five numbers , and is placed in one of the five squares so that the sum of the three numbers in the horizontal row equals the sum of the three numbers in the vertical column. The largest possible value for the horizontal or vertical sum is
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Answer Choices:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Solution:
The largest sum occurs when is placed in the center. This sum is . Note: Two other common sums, and , are possible.
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Since the horizontal sum equals the vertical sum, twice this sum will be the sum of the five numbers plus the number in the center. When the center number is , the sum is the largest, . The other four numbers are divided into two pairs with equal sums.
Answer: .
The problems on this page are the property of the MAA's American Mathematics Competitions