Question

Three numbers are chosen at random. The middle number is 5 more than the smallest number. The largest number is two times the smallest number. The sum of the 3 numbers is 53. What is the smallest number?

Answer 1

Smallest + Middle + Largest = 53
M= S + 2
L = 2S

Substitute M= S +2 and L = 2S into S + M + L =53

S + S + 2 + 2S = 53
4S + 2 = 53
- 2 -2
----------------
4S = 51
4S/4 = 51/4
S = 12.75

M = S + 2
M = 12.75 + 2
M = 14.75

L= 2S
L = 2 (12.75)
L = 25.5