Question 101925: three numbers are such that the second is two less than three times the first and the third is four times the first. the sum of the three numbers is 38. find the largest and smallest numbers?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Write an expression for each phrase
"three numbers"
x, y, & z
:
"the second is two less than three times the first"
y = (3x - 2)
:
"the third is four times the first"
z = 4x
:
"the sum of the three numbers is 38."
x + y + z = 38
:
find the largest and smallest numbers?
Notice that y and z are given in terms of x, substitute for y & z, Find x
x + (3x-2) + 4x = 38
x + 3x - 2 + 4x = 38
8x = 38 + 2
x = 40/8
x = 5 (smallest)
:
Find y:
y = 3x - 2
y = 3(5) - 2
y = 13
:
Find z:
z = 4(5) = 20 (largest)
:
Check solutions:
5 + 13 + 20 = 38
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