Question

The sum of three numbers is 103. The second number is 5 less than the first. The third number is 4 times the first. What are the numbers?

Answer 1

The numbers are 18, 13, and 72.

Explanation:

Let the three numbers be represented by a, b, and c.

The sum of the three is 103. Thus, we can write that:

`a+b+c=103`

The second number is five less than the first. So:

`b=a-5`

And the third number is four times the first. So:

`c=4a`

Substitute:

`a+(a-5)+(4a)=103`

Solve for a. Combine like terms:

`6a-5=103`

Add five to both sides:

`6a=108`

And divide both sides by six. Therefore:

`a=18`

So, the first number is 18.

Since the second number is five less than the first, the second number is 13.

And since the third number is four times the first, the third number is 72.