Let x=the first number Then x+7=second number And 4(x+7)+2=third number (2 more than 4 times the second) Now we are told that: x+(x+7)+(4(x+7)+2)=85 get rid of parentheses x+x+7+4x+28+2=85 simplify 6x+37=85 subtract 37 from each side 6x+37-37=85-37 6x=48 x=8---first number x+7=8+7=15 second number 4(x+7)+2=4*15+2=62 third number CK 8+15+62=85 85=85