document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=930499>Question 930499</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> the sum of three numers is 72. The first number is half the second, and the third number is three times the second one. what is the value of the first number? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #565052 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=algebrahouse.com><B>algebrahouse.com(1659)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-12.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=algebrahouse.com><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=algebrahouse.com><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=565052\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> x = second number<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x/2 = first number<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3x = third number\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x + x/2 + 3x = 72 {sum of the three numbers is 72}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2x + x + 6x = 144 {multiplied entire equation by 2 to eliminate fractions}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "8x = 144 {combined like terms}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = 18 {divided each side by 8}<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x/2 = 9 {substituted 18, in for x, into x/2}\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "9 is the first number<BR>\n" );
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