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Define x:
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Let x be the number of students in the second class:
⇒second class = x
There are 3 more students in the first class than in the second class:
⇒first class = x + 3
There are 2 more students in the third class than in the second class:
⇒third class = x + 2
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Expression for each class:
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First class = x + 3
Second class = x
Third class = x + 2
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Expression for total number of students:
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Total = x + 3 + x + x + 2
Total = 3x + 5
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Find x:
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There are 80 students in total, so
3x + 5 = 80
3x = 75
x = 25
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Find the number of students in each class:
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First class = x + 3 = 25 + 3 = 28
Second class = x = 25
Third class = x + 2 = 25 + 2 = 27
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Answer: There are 25 students in the second class.
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