If a = 3.78xy7 and b = 1.37486, where x and y are positive digits, wha...
Steps 1 & 2: Understand Question and Draw Inferences
We are given that:
a = 3.78xy7 (Here, x and y are positive digits)
b = 1.37486
We have to find the value of a + b.
Now, to find the sum of a and b, first we need to find the values of x and y so that we can determine the value of a. Since we already have the value of b, we can then add both of them and find a + b.
So, the question here is what is the value of a?
Step 3: Analyze Statement 1
Statement 1 says: If a and b are rounded to nearest thousandths digit, then a + b = 5.162
So, we know that:
(Rounded value of a to nearest thousandths place) + (Rounded value of b to nearest thousandths place) = 5.162 ……………… (1)
Now, we can’t find the rounded value of a, but we can find the rounded value of b to nearest thousandths place.
Now, let’s round b to the nearest thousandths:
- Marking the digit at the thousandths place: 1.37486
- Since the digit on 4’s right is 8 (and therefore, greater than 5), we will add 1 to 4.
- Therefore, 1.37486 may be rounded to 1.375
By putting the rounded value of b in equation (1):
(Rounded value of a to nearest thousandths place) + 1.375 = 5.162
(Rounded value of a to nearest thousandths place) = 5.162 – 1.375 = 3.787
So, the rounded value of 3.78xy7 to the nearest thousandths place = 3.787
This means,
If y ≥ 5, then x = 6
If y < 5, then x = 7
Thus, we are not able to determine a unique value of x and y each.
Hence, statement 1 is not sufficient to answer the question: What is the value of a?
Step 4: Analyze Statement 2
Statement 2 says: If a and b are rounded to nearest ten-thousandths digit, then a + b = 5.1622
(Rounded value of a to nearest ten-thousandths place) + (Rounded value of b to nearest ten-thousandths place) = 5.1622 ……………… (2)
Let’s round b to the nearest ten-thousandths:
- Marking the digit at the thousandths place: 1.37486
- Since the digit on 8’s right is 6 (and therefore, greater than 5), we will add 1 to 8.
- Therefore, 1.37486 may be rounded to 1.3749
By putting the rounded value of b in equation (2):
(Rounded value of a to nearest ten-thousandths place) + 1.3749 = 5.1622
(Rounded value of a to nearest ten-thousandths place) = 5.1622 – 1.3749 = 3.7873
So, the rounded value of 3.78xy7 to the nearest ten-thousandths place = 3.7873
Now, let’s round a to the nearest ten-thousandths:
- Marking the digit at the thousandths place: 3.78xy7
- Since the digit on y’s right is 7, we will add 1 to y.
- Now, when we add 1 to y, a becomes 3.7873
- This implies that y + 1 = 3.
So, the value of y = 2.
Thus, a = 3.78x27
Also, by comparing 3.7873 to 3.78x27 we get to know that the value of x is 7.
Thus, we know that the value of a is 3.78727.
So, statement 2 alone is sufficient to answer the question: What is the value of a?
Step 5: Analyze Both Statements Together (if needed)
Since statement 2 alone is sufficient to answer the question, we don’t need to perform this step.
Answer: Option (B)