document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1171400>Question 1171400</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I am having trouble with understanding this question:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "The sum of three numbers is 40. The second number is twice the first number. The sum of the first two numbers is 2 more than the third number. What are the three numbers?\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "So far, I've worked out:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x+y+z=10<BR>\n" );
document.write( "y=2x<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x+y=z+2 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #796375 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><B>greenestamps(13200)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=greenestamps><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=greenestamps><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=796375\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "As tutor @ikleyn says, the easiest way to solve this problem is using a single variable.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "The path she used to the solution is a good one; here is an alternative.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Learn from this that there are nearly always different ways to set up a problem for solving.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "As you are learning mathematics, always explore different ways of solving problems and find ways that \"work\" for you.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Start the same way she does: the first number is x, so the second is 2x.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Now go a different direction than she did. \"the sum of the first two numbers is 2 more than the third number\" --> \"the third number is 2 less than the sum of the first two\": the third number is 3x-2.<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Now the equation to be solved says that the sum of the three numbers is 40:<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x%2B2x%2B%283x-2%29=40 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x%2B2x%2B%283x-2%29=40\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=6x-2+=+40 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"6x-2+=+40\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=6x+=+42 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"6x+=+42\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><BR>\n" );
document.write( "<IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x+=+7 ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+7\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" ><br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "ANSWERS:  The three numbers are<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x = 7<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2x = 14<BR>\n" );
document.write( "3x-2 = 19<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );