SOLUTION: the smaller of two numbers is 3 less than the greater. If the greater is decreased by twice the smaller, the result is -5. Find the two numbers.

Question 1127135: the smaller of two numbers is 3 less than the greater. If the greater is decreased by twice the smaller, the result is -5. Find the two numbers.
Found 2 solutions by MathLover1, MathTherapy:
Answer by MathLover1(20850) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let's the smaller number be and the greater number be

if the smaller number is less than the greater,we have
....eq.1
if the greater is decreased by twice the smaller, the result is , so we have
....eq.2...substitute from eq.1
.......solve for

....eq.1

the two numbers are: and

Answer by MathTherapy(10554) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the smaller of two numbers is 3 less than the greater. If the greater is decreased by twice the smaller, the result is -5. Find the two numbers.

Correct answer: , NOT - 4 and - 1.
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