SOLUTION: the greater of two numbers is 5 more than the smaller. if the smaller is added to twice the greater, the result is 22. find both of the numbers.

Question 243375: the greater of two numbers is 5 more than the smaller. if the smaller is added to twice the greater, the result is 22. find both of the numbers.
Answer by oberobic(2304) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Start by rewriting the problem setting in terms you can work with.
.
Two numbers suggests x & y. This should be avoided if possible because it creates two unknowns when one would do. How? By defining one in terms of the other. In this case we are told that one number is 5 greater than the other. So they can be shown as:
x is one number, which is 5 more than the other number
x-5 is the smaller number
.
Now we have the equation we have to solve. In this case we have to turn the "if" clause into an equation.
.
(x-5)+2*x = 22
.
x -5 + 2x = 22
3x = 27
x = 9
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Going back to the setup, the smaller number is x-5 = 9-5 = 4.
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Always check your work.
Does the smaller number + twice the larger number = 22?
4 + 2*9 = 4 + 18 = 22.
Done.
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