1. **State the problem:** We have three swimmers: Rita, John, and Rodell. Each swimmer swam laps represented by bars labeled with variables and numbers. Rita swam $L + 25$ laps, John swam $L + 3$ laps, and Rodell swam $L + 25$ laps. We want to understand the relationship between their laps. 2. **Analyze the bars:** Rita and Rodell both swam $L + 25$ laps, so they swam the same number of laps. 3. **Compare John’s laps:** John swam $L + 3$ laps, which is fewer than Rita and Rodell by $25 - 3 = 22$ laps. 4. **Formulate the relationship:** Since Rita and Rodell swam the same laps, and John swam 22 laps fewer, the difference between John’s laps and Rita’s (or Rodell’s) laps is 22. 5. **Express the difference:** $$ (L + 25) - (L + 3) = 22 $$ 6. **Simplify the expression:** $$ L + 25 - L - 3 = 22 $$ $$ 25 - 3 = 22 $$ $$ 22 = 22 $$ 7. **Interpretation:** The equation holds true for any value of $L$, meaning the difference in laps between John and the others is always 22 laps. **Final answer:** Rita and Rodell swam the same number of laps, which is 22 laps more than John.