Question

The second of three number is 1 less than the first the third number is 5 less than the second if the first number is twice as large as the third find the three number

Answer 1

The three numbers are 12, 11, and 6

Explanation:

Let

First Number be x

Second Number be y

Third Number be z

Now, we can come up with equations from the word problem.

The 2nd is 1 less than 1st means:

y = x - 1

3rd is 5 less than 2nd means:

z = y - 5

1st is TWICE as large as 3rd means:

x = 2z

We have 3 equations. Let's put 3rd into 1st, we get:

y = 2z - 1

Now put this into 2nd equation, we get:

z = 2z - 1 - 5

Solving for z:

5 + 1 = 2z - z

z = 6

We know x = 2z, so x = 2(6) = 12

x = 12

and y = x - 1, this means y = 12 - 1 = 11

y = 11