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Printsmc
algebra senior
Problem
Let and be distinct elements in the set What is the minimum possible value of
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Solution
The sum of the set is , so if we could have the sum in each set of parenthesis be then the minimum value would be . Considering the set of four terms containing , this sum could only be even if it had two or four odd terms. If it had all four odd terms then it would be , and with two odd terms then its minimum value is , so we cannot achieve two sums of . The closest we could have to and is and , which can be achieved through and . So the minimum possible value is .
Final answer
C