Question

The sum of three numbers is 84 The second number is 2 times the first. The third number is 16 less than the second. What is the second number?

Answer 1

40

Explanation:

First let x represent the first number.

Let 2x represent the second number.

Let 2x-16 represent the third number.

x + 2x + 2x-16 = 84

5x -16 = 84

5x = 84 + 16

5x = 100

Divide both sides of the equation by 5 so that x can stand alone.

`(5x)/(5) = (100)/(5)`

x = 20

∴ First number = x = 20

Second number = 2x = 40

Third number = 2x - 16 = 24