Question

starting with 17, show one way to make an expression with a sum of 40. 17 17 20 10 3 +

Explanation:

Step1: Find the number to add to 17

We know that the sum should be 40. Let the number to add be \( x \). So, \( 17 + x = 40 \). Solving for \( x \), we get \( x = 40 - 17 = 23 \). Now we need to make 23 using the given numbers (20, 10, 3) and the plus sign.

Step2: Combine numbers to make 23

We can use 20 and 3. So, \( 20 + 3 = 23 \). Then the expression is \( 17 + 20 + 3 \). Let's check: \( 17+20 = 37 \), then \( 37 + 3 = 40 \).

Answer:

\( 17 + 20 + 3 \) (or other valid combinations like \( 17 + 3 + 20 \), \( 17 + 10 + 13 \) but since 13 isn't given, the best with given numbers is using 20 and 3)