let x be the first number y be the second number z be the third number x + y = 38 y + z = 44 x + z = 82 = 44 + 38 = x + y + y + z x + z = x + y + y + z x + z = x + 2y + z x + z - x - z = 2y 0 = 2y y = 0 x = 38 z = 44 Therefore, the numbers are 38, 0 and 44.