The sum of three numbers is 161. The second number is 6 times the first, and the third number is 5 more than the second. Find the numbers.

Question

They want you to create an equation then solve

Answer 1

If we let x represent the first (smallest) number

 

we know the second number is 6x, an the third number is 6x + 5

 

now we add these three numbers x, 6x, and 6x +5 together to get 161.

 

x +6x + (6x +5) = 161

 

All that's left is solving for x.