Here it is worked out using algebra: Let N be the answer. Then there exist positive integers A, B, and C such that: N = 3A + 1 = 4B + 2 = 5C + 3 3A + 1 = 4B + 2 3A - 4B = 1 Principle P: This is the principle of 1. Writing the absolute value of each integer or coefficient in an equation in terms of its nearest multiple of the coefficient in absolute value that occurs in the equation,considering 0 as a multiple of every integer, 2. Removing parentheses 3. Dividing every term by that least coefficient in absolute value. 4. Isolating all fractional terms. 5. Setting both sides equal to a new positive integer variable: Using principle P on 3A - 4B = 1 3A - (3 + 1)B = 1 3A - 3B - B = 1 A - B - B/3 = 1/3 A - B = 1/3 + B/3 Let D = A - B = 1/3 + B/3 D = 1/3 + B/3 3D = 1 + B (1) B = 3D - 1 D = A - B D = A - (3D - 1) D = A - 3D + 1 4D - 1 = A (2) A = 4D - 1 4B + 2 = 5C + 3 4(3D - 1) + 2 = 5C + 3 12D - 4 + 2 = 5C + 3 12D - 2 = 5C + 3 12D - 5C = 5 Use principle P on that equation: (10+2)D - 5C = 5 10D + 2D - 5C = 5 2D + 2D/5 - C = 1 2D/5 = C - 2D + 1 2D/5 = C - 2D + 1 = E C - 2D + 1 = E (3) C = E + 2D - 1 2D/5 = E 2D = 5E Use the principle P again: 2D = (4+1)E 2D = 4E + E D = 2E + E/2 D - 2E = E/2 E/2 = D - 2E = F E/2 = F, D - 2E = F E = 2F D - 2(2F) = F D - 4F = F (4) D = 5F From (3) C = E + 2D - 1 C = 2F + 2(5F) - 1 C = 2F + 10F - 1 C = 12F - 1 (5) C = 12F - 1 From (1) B = 3D - 1 B = 3(5F) - 1 (6) B = 15F - 1 D = A - B 5F = A - (15F - 1) 5F = A - 15F + 1 20F - 1 = A A = 20F - 1 B = 15F - 1 C = 12F - 1 Therefore the smallest values of A, B, and C will be when F=11 A = 20F - 1 = 20 - 1 = 19 B = 15F - 1 = 15 - 1 = 14 C = 7F - 1 = 12 - 1 = 11 N = 3A + 1 = 4B + 2 = 5C + 3 N = 3(19) + 1 = 4(14) + 2 = 5(11) + 3 N = 58 = 58 = 58 Edwin