Atheletics

[greatwhiteshark]

There were three students in an atheletics competition of atleast two
events. In each event, student who finished second got more points than those who finished third but less than those who finished first. All the scores were positive integers and all the events used the same three scores . At the end of the competition, the total scores of the three students were: 5,9 and 16. Determine the first place score of each event.

 

[Denis]

There were three students in an atheletics competition of at least two
events. In each event, student who finished second got more points than those who finished third but less than those who finished first. All the scores were positive integers and all the events used the same three scores . At the end of the competition, the total scores of the three students were: 5,9 and 16. Determine the first place score of each event.

events = e; 1st place = a, 2nd = b, 3rd = c : 16/e > a > b > c

e(a + b + c) = 30 : 5+9+16

That's about all that can be done with algebra; trial and error:

1 + 2 + 2 = 5
7 + 1 + 1 = 9
2 + 7 + 7 = 16

 

[greatwhiteshark]

ok

I will continue by trial and error and practice on a similar textbook question.