Question 14
Let $a,$ $b,$ and $c$ be three distinct one-digit numbers. What is the maximum value of the sum of the roots of the equation $$
\begin{aligned} &(x-a)(x-b) \\ &\quad +(x-b)(x-c)=0? \end{aligned}
$$
\begin{aligned} &(x-a)(x-b) \\ &\quad +(x-b)(x-c)=0? \end{aligned}
$$