If \(a, b, c\) are three distinct natural numbers, all less than \(100\), such that \(|a - b| + |b - c| = |c - a|\), then the maximum possible value of \(b\) is

The maximum possible value of $b$ is 98. Equality in the sum of absolute differences holds exactly when $b$ lies between $a$ and $c$, and distinctness requires it to lie strictly between them. The largest endpoint can be 99, so $b\leq98$, attained by $(a,b,c)=(97,98,99)$. Taking $b=99$ leaves no admissible larger endpoint.