Answer:
40
Step-by-step explanation:
let the numbers be a+b+c+d.
the average of 4 numbers is 38
; (a+b+c+d)/4 = 38
(a+b+c+d) = 152 ......equ1
the average of the first two numbers is 42
; (a+b)/2 = 42
(a+b) = 84 ...... equ2
the average of the last three numbers is 36
; (b+c+d)/3 = 36
(b+c+d) = 108 .....equ3
substitute equ3 into equ1
a + 108 = 152
a= 152 - 108
a = 44
input the value of a into equ2
44 + b = 84
b = 40
the second number is 40.
I hope this helps.
