SOLUTION: If x+y=5 and x and y are positive integers, what is the maximum possible value of x-y? A. 2 B. 5 C. 4 D. 3 E, 6

Algebra ->  Complex Numbers Imaginary Numbers Solvers and Lesson -> SOLUTION: If x+y=5 and x and y are positive integers, what is the maximum possible value of x-y? A. 2 B. 5 C. 4 D. 3 E, 6       Log On


   

Question 1183872: If x+y=5 and x and y are positive integers, what is the maximum possible value of x-y?
A. 2
B. 5
C. 4
D. 3
E, 6
Answer by ikleyn(52781) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
We want to have  x-y  maximum.


Under given condition, it happens when  x  is maximum possible and  y  is minimum possible.


According to this scheme,  x= 4, y = 1  is the  UNIQUE  solution.


ANSWER.  x= 4, y= 1  and the difference  x-y  is 3.

         Maximum  x-y  is  4-1 = 3.

         Option D.

Solved.