Question

The 3rd number is the sum of the first and the second number. The first number is one more than the third number. How do you find the 3 numbers?

Answer 1

These conditions are insufficient to determine a single solution.

`a = "whatever you like"`
`b = -1`
`c = a - 1`

Explanation:

Let's call the three numbers `a`, `b` and `c`.

We are given:

`c = a + b`

`a = c + 1`

Using the first equation, we can substitute `a+b` for `c` in the second equation as follows:

`a = c + 1 = (a + b) + 1 = a + b + 1`

Then subtract `a` from both ends to get:

`0 = b + 1`

Subtract `1` from both ends to get:

`-1 = b`

That is: `b = -1`

The first equation now becomes:

`c = a + (-1) = a - 1`

Add `1` to both sides to get:

`c + 1 = a`

This is essentially the same as the second equation.

There are not enough constraints to determine `a` and `c` uniquely.

You can choose any value you like for `a` and let `c = a - 1`.