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# (19 - 18 - 17 - 16) - (20 - 19 - 18 - 17) =

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Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Posts: 58381
(19 - 18 - 17 - 16) - (20 - 19 - 18 - 17) =  [#permalink]

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05 Jun 2018, 01:31
00:00

Difficulty:

15% (low)

Question Stats:

79% (00:44) correct 21% (00:30) wrong based on 84 sessions

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$$(19 - 18 - 17 - 16) - (20 - 19 - 18 - 17) =$$

A. -36

B. -6

C. -4

D. 1

E. 2

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Joined: 07 Dec 2017
Posts: 1140
Re: (19 - 18 - 17 - 16) - (20 - 19 - 18 - 17) =  [#permalink]

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05 Jun 2018, 01:52
1
Bunuel wrote:
$$(19 - 18 - 17 - 16) - (20 - 19 - 18 - 17) =$$

A. -36

B. -6

C. -4

D. 1

E. 2

As all we're given are equations, we'll work with them.
This is a Precise approach.

If we're good with mental arithemtic, this is -32 - (-34) = 2

Otherwise, we can simplify:
Since the second parantheses has a minus sign in front of it, when we open it reverses all of the minuses to pluses.
That is, - (20 - 19 - 18 - 17) = -20 + 19 + 18 + 17.
So, our equation can be written as 19 - 18 - 17 - 16 - 20 + 19 + 18 + 17.
Canceling out -18 with + 18 and -17 with + 17 gives 19 - 16 - 20 + 19 = 3 - 1 = 2

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Status: Learning stage
Joined: 01 Oct 2017
Posts: 1017
WE: Supply Chain Management (Energy and Utilities)
Re: (19 - 18 - 17 - 16) - (20 - 19 - 18 - 17) =  [#permalink]

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05 Jun 2018, 01:53
1
Bunuel wrote:
$$(19 - 18 - 17 - 16) - (20 - 19 - 18 - 17) =$$

A. -36

B. -6

C. -4

D. 1

E. 2

$$(19 - 18 - 17 - 16) - (20 - 19 - 18 - 17)$$
=$$(1-17-16)-(1-18-17)$$
=$$(-16-16)-(-17-17)$$
=-32-(-34)
=-32+34
=2

Ans. option E.
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PKN

Rise above the storm, you will find the sunshine
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Joined: 31 Oct 2013
Posts: 1469
Concentration: Accounting, Finance
GPA: 3.68
WE: Analyst (Accounting)
Re: (19 - 18 - 17 - 16) - (20 - 19 - 18 - 17) =  [#permalink]

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05 Jun 2018, 02:41
1
Bunuel wrote:
$$(19 - 18 - 17 - 16) - (20 - 19 - 18 - 17) =$$

A. -36

B. -6

C. -4

D. 1

E. 2

To solve this this just uncover the bracket multiplying by -1.

19-18-17-16-20+19+18+17
=(19*2)-36
=38-36
=2
Thus option E is the correct answer.
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Joined: 17 Apr 2013
Posts: 34
Re: (19 - 18 - 17 - 16) - (20 - 19 - 18 - 17) =  [#permalink]

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19 Oct 2018, 11:16
(19−18−17−16)−(20−19−18−17)
=19-20-18+19-17+18-16+17
=-1+1+1+1
=2

Give me a kudo if this helped
Re: (19 - 18 - 17 - 16) - (20 - 19 - 18 - 17) =   [#permalink] 19 Oct 2018, 11:16
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