SOLUTION: Doing this problem over and over and getting the same thing. I can't think of another way of doing it. The difference between two numbers is 55. Four times the smaller numbe

Question 537254: Doing this problem over and over and getting the same thing. I can't think of another way of doing it.
The difference between two numbers is 55. Four times the smaller number plus five times the larger number is 176. What are the numbers?
This is what I did:
x-y=55 or x=55+y
4x+5y=176
4(55+y)+5y=176
220+4y+5y=176
220+9y=176
9y=176-220
9y=-44
y=-44/9
y=-4.888888889
y does not look right. try proofing it but the numbers don't add u
Answer by richwmiller(17219) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Your calculations are correct. You set up the problem incorrectly.
We normally subtract the smaller from the larger.
In the second equation, you set up x as the smaller but in the first equation you are subtracting the larger from the smaller
so try
I did:
y-x=55 or y=55+x
4x+5y=176
and you should get y=44 and x=-11

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