SAT question, how to solve? Answer given.
Three children guessed the number of jelly beans in a jar. The guesses were 98, 137 and 164. None of the guesses was correct. One guess was off by 12, another by 27 and the third by 39. How many jelly beans were in the jar?
ANS: 125

Question

SAT question, how to solve? Answer given.
Three children guessed the number of jelly beans in a jar. The guesses were 98, 137 and 164. None of the guesses was correct. One guess was off by 12, another by 27 and the third by 39. How many jelly beans were in the jar?
ANS: 125

anonymous · Answer

164-39=125
137-12=125
98+27=125

anonymous · Answer

Yes but, how would you know which guesses were off by what amount besides trial and error...?

anonymous · Answer

@greysica is there an algebraic expression for it

anonymous · Answer

uhmm. I dont know , sorry

anonymous · Answer

Nevermind I got it
x represents the amount added to the guess to make it valid
pick any two guesses
164 + x = 137 + x
164 - 137 = 27
substitute into 98 + x, the third guess
98 + 27 = 125
my mathematical process is not valid at all but somehow it works

anonymous · Answer

sorry cant give any solution , but ur process is true :)