Question

Jona tries to solve the value of x + y using a calculator. She inputs x + y ÷ 2 and the result is 12. For clarification, she inputs x + y ÷ 3 and the result is 9. Lastly, Jona concludes that her input is wrong. So, she inputs(x + y) ÷ 4 and the result is 7. In the story, find the value of x + y + 1.

a. 18
b. 15
c. 16
d. 14

Answer 1

The correct input (x + y) ÷ 4 = 7 leads to the calculation of x + y = 28. Adding 1 to this gives a sum of 29, which is not present in the provided options.

Step-by-step explanation:

Jona is looking to find the value of x + y. Her first input gives x + y ÷ 2 = 12, which can be misleading due to order of operations. In mathematics, division and multiplication should be performed before addition and subtraction, implying that she is dividing y by 2, instead of adding x and y and then dividing by 2.

However, she realizes this mistake and correctly inputs (x + y) ÷ 4 = 7. Multiplying both sides of the equation by 4, we get x + y = 28. Therefore, x + y + 1 = 28 + 1 = 29. Considering the given options, none matches the correct answer, which is 29.