If a, b, c, and d are replaced by four distinct digits from 1 to 9, inclusive, then what's the largest possible value of the difference a.b - c.d?
PLS HELP
a*b will be largest when a = 9 and b = 8 [or vice-versa]
c*d will be smallest when c =2 and d =1 [ or vice-versa]
So
The largest possible difference is
9 * 8 - 2*1 =
72 - 2 =
70