The sum of three numbers is 88. The second number is 3 times the third. The third number is 7 more than the first. What are the numbers?

Answer 1

Let x, y, and z be the three unknown numbers; We have:

x + y + z = 88

The second number (y) is three times the third (z), so:

y = 3z

The third number is 7 more than the first:

z = x + 7

Since y = 3z and z = x + 7, then y = 3(x+7) = 3x + 21

So x + y + z = 88

x + 3x+21 + x+7 = 88 (Substituted 3x+21 for y and x+7 for z)

5x + 28 = 88 (Combined like terms)

Solve for x. Once you have x, y = 3x+21 and z = x+7. Make sure they add to 88.

Answer 2

y-7+3y+y=88

2y-7+3y=88

5y-95

y=19

12, 57, 19