$38649 - 1624 - 4483 = x$

### Concept & Strategy When multiple numbers are being subtracted from a primary number, the most efficient approach is to sum all the negative components first, and then perform a single subtraction operation. $$ A - B - C = A - (B + C) $$ ### Step-by-Step Solution * **Given:** The expression $38649 - 1624 - 4483$. * **Step 1:** Group the numbers that need to be subtracted. $-(1624 + 4483)$ * **Step 2:** Calculate the sum of these subtrahends. $1624 + 4483 = 6107$ * **Step 3:** Subtract this combined total from the primary number. $38649 - 6107$ * **Step 4:** Perform the final subtraction. $38649 - 6107 = 32542$ * **Step 5:** Compare $32542$ with the given options: (a) 32425, (b) 32452, (c) 34522, (d) 35422. Since it matches none of them, the correct choice is "None of these". ### Exam Strategy & Shortcut Track the last two digits to quickly eliminate options. Sum of last two digits of subtrahends: $24 + 83 = 107$ (so the effective subtraction ends in $07$). Subtract from main number: $49 - 07 = 42$. The correct answer must end in $42$. Options (b) $32452$ and (d) $35422$ end in $42$. Now check the hundreds digit: $6 - (6+4) = 6 - 10 = -4$. Borrowing $1$ makes it $16 - 10 = 5$ in the hundreds place. The last three digits are $542$. None of the options match $542$, immediately select "None of these". ### Common Pitfall Choosing an option that "looks close" out of panic. Students might calculate $32542$, see option (b) $32452$, assume they made a small error, and mark it. Trust your calculation. ### Final Answer Therefore, the correct answer is **None of these**.