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algebra intermediate

Problem

The sum of three different numbers is 67. The two larger numbers differ by 7 and the two smaller numbers differ by 3. What is the value of the largest number?
Solution
: Let the three numbers be , , and , and WLOG assume that . We have the three equations From the second equation, we have . Substituting this into the first equation to eliminate , we have . Adding this last equation to the third equation, we have . Substituting this value into the second equation to find , we get . Thus, the largest number is .

: Let the middle number be Then, the largest number is and the smallest number is The numbers have a sum of so we have the equation Simplifying, we get So, the largest number is
Final answer
28