Let the first number be x
first number = x
Second is 7 more than the first
second number = x + 7
The third is 2 more than 4 times the second
third number = 4(x+7)+ 2 = 4x + 28 + 2 = 4x + 30
sum of three numbers is 8.5
x + x + 7 + 4x + 30 = 8.5
6x + 37 = 8.5
6x = 8.5 - 37
6x = -28.5
x = - 4.75
first number = x = -4.75
second number = x + 7 = 2.25
third number = 4x + 30 = 4(-4.75) + 30 =11
They are -4.75, 2.25 and 11