1999 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 11

Problem 11

Each of the five numbers 1, 4, 7, 10, and 13 is placed in one of the five squares so that the sum of the three numbers in the horizontal row equals the sum of the three numbers in the vertical column. The largest possible value for the horizontal or vertical sum is

[asy] draw((0,0)--(3,0)--(3,1)--(0,1)--cycle); draw((1,-1)--(2,-1)--(2,2)--(1,2)--cycle);[/asy]

The answer is obviously (D) because you have to put the biggest number (13) in the middle. Then, in order to make it equal, you put the next biggest number (10) on the top, and then you put 7 on the left side. Since the difference for the numbers are all 3, you have to put the next biggest one (4) on the horizontal row, and then you put the (1) on the vertical row, and get letter (D) as your answer.