Seth = <<17.5=17.5>>17.5 pounds

Jerome = 3 * 17.5 = <<3*17.5=52.5>>52.5 pounds

Veronica = 17.5 + 1.5 = <<17.5+1.5=19>>19 pounds

Total = 17.5 + 52.5 + 19 = <<17.5+52.5+19=89>>89 pounds

The 3 people lost a total of 89 pounds.

# Answer

89
<|im_start|>system
You are a helpful assistant.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
Seth lost 17.5 pounds. Jerome lost three times that many pounds and Veronica lost 1.5 pounds more than Seth. How many pounds did the 3 people lose in total?
Please reason step by step, and put your final answer within \boxed{{}}.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant

user
89
Seth lost 17.5 pounds. Jerome lost three times that many pounds and Veronica lost 1.5 pounds more than Seth. How many pounds did the 3 people lose in total?
train