Answer: 12
Explanation:
To solve this problem, we will need to start by drawing five circles that interlock with each other. Then we will place numbers 1 through 9 in each of the circles, using each number only once. Finally, we will make the total in each of the three circles the same.
Here is one possible solution to the problem:
1. Start by drawing five circles that interlock with each other. Arrange them in a way that looks like the Olympic symbol, with three circles on top and two on the bottom.
2. Place the numbers 1, 2, and 3 in the top circle, the numbers 4, 5, and 6 in the middle circle, and the numbers 7, 8, and 9 in the bottom circle.
3. Add up the numbers in each of the circles. You should get a total of 6 in each circle (1+2+3=6, 4+5+6=15, and 7+8+9=24).
4. To make the total in each of the three circles the same, we need to adjust the numbers in the top and bottom circles. We can do this by moving the 1 from the top circle to the bottom circle and moving the 9 from the bottom circle to the top circle. This gives us a new total of 12 in each circle (2+3+7=12, 4+5+3=12, and 1+8+9=18).
Therefore, the solution to the problem is to place the numbers 1 through 9 once for five interlocking circles such that the total in each of the three circles is the same as follows:
2 5 4
1 3 6
7 8 9
Where the total in each of the three circles is 12.