Sam is training for the marathon. He drove 12 miles from his home to the Grey Hills Park and then ran 6 miles to Red Rock, retraced his path back for 4 miles, and then ran 3 miles to Rock Creek. If he is then n miles from home, what is the range of possible values for n? Select the correct option.
A) 1 ≤ n ≤23  B) 7 ≤ n ≤17  C) 5 ≤ n ≤19  D) 6 ≤ n ≤18  E) 9 ≤ n ≤15
ANSWER: C To find the maximum and minimum range for his distance from home, assume that he traveled either directly toward his home or directly away from his home. The range then is between 12+6-4+3= 
<gadget id="calculator">12+6-4+3</gadget>
<output>17</output>
17 for the maximum, and   12-6+4-3= 
<gadget id="calculator">  12-6+4-3</gadget>
<output>7</output>
7 for the minimum, so 7 ≤ n ≤17 is the answer
<result>B</result>
Sam is training for the marathon. He drove 12 miles from his home to the Grey Hills Park and then ran 6 miles to Red Rock, retraced his path back for 4 miles, and then ran 3 miles to Rock Creek. If he is then n miles from home, what is the range of possible values for n?