Question

the sum of three numbers is 82. the second number is double the first. the third number is three less than the second. find the three numbers

Answer 1

17, 34, 31

Explanation:

You want three numbers that have a sum of 82 such that the second number is double the first, and the third number is three less than the second.

Setup

Let x represent the second number. This is double the first number, so the first number is x/2. The third number is 3 less than the second, so is (x-3). Their sum is ...

(x/2) +x +(x-3) = 82

Solution

Collecting terms, we have ...

5/2x -3 = 82

5/2x = 85 . . . . . add 3

x = (2/5)(85) = 34 . . . . multiply by 2/5

x/2 = 34/2 = 17

x -3 = 34 -3 = 31

The three numbers are 17, 34, 31.