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If $a-b=12$ and $\frac{b}{2}=10$, what is the value of $a+b ?$

SAT · Math · previous-year question

  1. A.2
  2. B.12
  3. C.32
  4. D.52correct

Answer

D. 52

Explanation

Choice D is correct. If $\frac{b}{2}=10$, then multiplying each side of this equation by 2 gives $b=20$. Substituting 20 for $b$ in the equation $a-b=12$ gives $a-20=12$. Adding 20 to each side of this equation gives $a=32$. Since $a=32$ and $b=20$, it follows that the value of $a+b$ is $32+20$, or 52. Choice $A$ is incorrect. If the value of $a+b$ were less than the value of $a-b$, it would follow that $b$ is negative. But if $\frac{b}{2}=10$, then $b$ must be positive. This contradiction shows that the value of $a+b$ cannot be 2 . Choice $\mathrm{B}$ is incorrect. If the value of $a+b$ were

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