Question

The sum of three numbers is 85. The first number is 5 more than the second. The third number is 3 times the first. What are the numbers?

Answer 1

Algebra

Explanation:

Let `x` be first number. Second number will be `x-5`. Third number will be `3x`. Add these numbers and you will get `5x-5=85` which equals to `5x = 90` and hence `x=18`

Answer 2

`18, 13, 54`

Explanation:

Let `x, y, z` be the 3 numbers:
`x+y+z= 85`
`x= y+5`
`z= 3x`

We can substitute the second and third equation for `y` and `z` into the first equation:
`y=x-5`
`z=3x`

So:
`x+(x-5)+(3x)= 85`
`5x-5=85`
`5x=90`
`x=18`

So:
`y=18-5= 13`
`z= 3(18)= 54`