Question

If $a+b=10$ and both $a$ and $b$ are positive integers, calculate the largest possible value for $a$.

• A. $6$
• B. $7$
• C. $8$
• D. $9$
• E. $10$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

$9$

Given $a+b=10$ and $a,b$ are positive integers

For $a$ to be maximum, $b$ should be minimum because $a+b$ is constant.
Since $b$ is positive integer. The minimum value of $b$ is $1$.
Therefore the maximum value of $a$ is $10-b=10-1=9$