SOLUTION: The sum of three numbers is 16. The largest number is equal to the sum of the other two; and 3 times the smallest number is 1 more than the largest.

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Question 779148: The sum of three numbers is 16. The largest number is equal to the sum of the other two; and 3 times the smallest number is 1 more than the largest.
Answer by josgarithmetic(39621) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
small s
medium m
big b

s%2Bm%2Bb=16.
b=s%2Bm.
3s=1%2Bb.

Solution can be done in more than two ways. Easiest start might be, solve the last equation for b and substitute into the second equation. Solve the second equation either for s or for m.

You might want to arrange the system this way:
highlight%28s%2Bm%2Bb=16%29
highlight%28s%2Bm-b=0%29
highlight%283s%2B0%2Am-b=0%29
Which suggests a quick way to find b using the first two equations.