document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=980657>Question 980657</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> What is the first number if the second is 17 and the third is 3 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #601783 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Cromlix><B>Cromlix(4381)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Cromlix><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=Cromlix><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=601783\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Hi there,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = first number<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a + b = Second number<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a + 2b = Third number<BR>\n" );
document.write( ".......<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a + b = 17.....(1)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a + 2b = 3.....(2)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Take (1) from (2)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "....b = -14<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Substitute b + -14<BR>\n" );
document.write( "into (1)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a + b = 17<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a + (-14) = 17<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a - 14 = 17<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = 17 + 14<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = 31.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "First number = 31<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Hope this help:-) </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );