x and y are integers. a+ b< 11 , and a> 6. What is the smallest possible value of a- b?	Choose the correct choice from the following choices:	A) 1	B) 2	C) 4	D) - 2	E) - 4

Rationale: focus on the transition points and plug in the values . a > 6 so a could be 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 etc look at a = 7 7 + b < 11 b < 4 b could be 3 , 2 , 1 , 0 , - 1 etc when b is 3 , we get a - b = 4 this must be the smallest value because as a increases , b reduces so a - b increases . take another example . a = 11 so b < 0 . a - b will give a value greater than 11 . answer ( c ) .
Answer: C