if x < y < z and y - x > 3 , where x is an even integer and y and z are odd integers , what is the least possible value of z - x ?
"we have : 1 ) x < y < z 2 ) y - x > 3 3 ) x = 2 k ( x is an even number ) 4 ) y = 2 n + 1 ( y is an odd number ) 5 ) z = 2 p + 1 ( z is an odd number ) 6 ) z - x = ? least value z - x = 2 p + 1 - 2 k = 2 p - 2 k + 1 = 2 ( p - k ) + 1 - that means that z - x must be an odd number . we are asked to find the least value , so we have to pick the least numbers since y is odd and x is even , y - x must be odd . since y - x > 3 , the least value for y - x must be 5 , the least value for x must be 2 , and , thus , the least possible value for y must be 7 ( y - 2 = 5 , y = 7 ) 2 < 7 < z , since z is odd , the least possible value for z is 9 z - x = 9 - 2 = 7 answer a"
add(add(3, const_2), const_2)