Question

Question #8acfa

Answer 1

A: 50265
B: 52265
C: 48265

Explanation:

This is really an inequality with boundaries. We need to determine the range and midpoint. The exact midpoint is where they each would have collected the same amount: `150795/3 = 50265`.

The extreme (range limits) would be a difference of 4000 between the highest and lowest collectors. The range must also be centered around the midpoint value, so the arbitrary stores would have the following ranges of collected food:
`C (A-2000) < A < B (A+2000)`

BECAUSE the difference between B and C cannot exceed 4000, they will be balanced, or centered around A. You may also see by using a number line that moving A away from the arithmetic average moves the sum of A, B, C away from the correct total.
`Total = A + B + C`
`Total = A + (A + 2000) + (A - 2000)`
`150795 = A + A + 2000 + A - 2000` ; `A = 50265`, the previously determined midpoint.

B: 2000 more than A, `50265 + 2000 = 52265`
C: 2000 less than A, `50265 - 4000 = 48265`
Check: `50265 + 52265 + 48265 = 150795` CORRECT