Answer:
Our three numbers are 8, 48, and 16.
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the first, second, and third numbers be x, y, and z, respectively.
The sum of them is 72. In other words:
[tex]x + y + z = 72[/tex]
The second number y is three times the third number z. So:
[tex]y = 3z[/tex]
And the third number z is eight more than the first number x. So:
[tex]z = x + 8[/tex]
To find the numbers, solve for the system. We can substitute the last two equations into the first:
[tex]x + (3z) + ( x + 8) = 72[/tex]
Substitute again:
[tex]\displaystyle x + 3(x+8) + x+8 = 72[/tex]
Solve for x. Distribute:
[tex]x+3x+24+x+8=72[/tex]
Combine like term:
[tex]5x + 32 = 72[/tex]
Subtract:
[tex]5x = 40[/tex]
And divide:
[tex]x=8[/tex]
Thus, the first number is eight.
And since the third number is eight more than the first, the third number z is 16.
The second number is three times the third. Thus, the second number y is 3(16) or 48.
Our three numbers are 8, 48, and 16.
