Question

All three of your answers are incorrect.

The sum of three numbers is 111. The second number is 9 less than the first. The third number is 4 times the second. What are the numbers?
First number:
Second number:
20
11
X
5

Answer 1

1st number = -11

2nd number = 20

3rd number = -8

Explanation:

I am forming an equation: 111 = x + 9-x + 4(9-x)

111 is the sum, lets say x is the first number, the 2nd number is 9 less than the first so 9-x and the 3rd number is 4 times the 2nd so 4(9-x)

collect the like terms: 9+36 = 45 and there are 4 minus x

111 = 45 - 6x : takeaway 45 from both sides leaving

66 = -6x

divide both sides by -6

giving x as -11,

2nd num = 9--11 = 20

3rd num = 4x(9-11)

36-44 = -8