The sum of three numbers is 85. the second is 7 more than the first. the third is 2 more than four times the second. find the numbers.

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