If a, b, c are whole numbers greater than zero with a < b < c, which of the following numbers is greatest?

If a, b, c are whole numbers greater than zero with a < b < c, which of the following numbers is greatest?

• A. a
• B. b
• C. c
• D. a + b + c

Answer: (C)

When you have positive numbers with a < b < c, adding the two smaller positive numbers to c makes a+b+c larger than c itself. Since a and b are positive, a+b+c > c, and because c is already larger than a and b, the sum will be larger than all four options. So the greatest number is the sum a+b+c. For example, if a=1, b=3, c=7, then a+b+c=11, which is bigger than c=7.

When you have positive numbers with a < b < c, adding the two smaller positive numbers to c makes a+b+c larger than c itself. Since a and b are positive, a+b+c > c, and because c is already larger than a and b, the sum will be larger than all four options. So the greatest number is the sum a+b+c. For example, if a=1, b=3, c=7, then a+b+c=11, which is bigger than c=7.