Daily Math Puzzle: 2026-06-14

4 — Let 'a', 'b', and 'c' represent the current number of artifacts for Dealer A, B, and C respectively. We translate each statement into an algebraic equation: 1. **Dealer A's statement:** 'If I had one more artifact, I'd have twice as many as Dealer B.' Equation 1: a + 1 = 2b 2. **Dealer B's statement:** 'If Dealer C gave me three artifacts, we'd both have the same number.' This means Dealer B would gain 3 (b+3) and Dealer C would lose 3 (c-3). So, b + 3 = c - 3 Equation 2: b + 6 = c 3. **Dealer C's statement:** 'If Dealer B gave me five artifacts, I would have one more than Dealer A.' This means Dealer C would gain 5 (c+5) and Dealer A would have 1 more than their current amount (a+1). So, c + 5 = a + 1 Equation 3: c + 5 = a + 1 Now we solve the system of equations: * From Equation 1, we can express 'a' in terms of 'b': a = 2b - 1 * From Equation 2, we have 'c' in terms of 'b': c = b + 6 * Substitute these expressions for 'a' and 'c' into Equation 3: (b + 6) + 5 = (2b - 1) + 1 b + 11 = 2b * Solve for 'b': 11 = 2b - b b = 11 * Now find 'a' and 'c' using the value of 'b': a = 2b - 1 = 2(11) - 1 = 22 - 1 = 21 c = b + 6 = 11 + 6 = 17 Finally, calculate the difference between the number of artifacts Dealer A possesses and Dealer C possesses (A - C): A - C = 21 - 17 = 4 The correct answer is 4.