Explanation:

- Let’s assign variables: \( a, b, c \) as the first three numbers, and \( d \) as the fourth number.

- The average of the first three numbers is three times the fourth number: \(\frac{a + b + c}{3} = 3d \).

- Simplify this to find \( a + b + c = 9d \).

- The average of all four numbers is 55: \(\frac{a + b + c + d}{4} = 55 \).

- Simplify to get \( a + b + c + d = 220 \).

- Substitute \( a + b + c = 9d \) into \( 9d + d = 220 \) to find \( d = 22 \).

- Substitute back to find \( a + b + c = 198 \).

- The sum of the first three numbers is 198.

Option: 2 - 198