Explanation

Use the information in the problem to write the equations x + y = 27 and \(\frac{x}{4}\)+ x=y.

You can combine these two equations to say that \(\frac{x}{4}\) =x+x=27.

When you solve this new equation you find that x = 12.

You can then go back to your first equation and find that y = 15. The positive difference between 15 and 12 is 3, so select choice (A).