SOLUTION: there are two numbers. twice the first number plus three times the second number is 72. the difference of the two numbers is 16. what are the numbers?

Question 680785: there are two numbers. twice the first number plus three times the second number is 72. the difference of the two numbers is 16. what are the numbers?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
there are two numbers.
x & y
:
twice the first number plus three times the second number is 72.
2x + 3y = 72
:
the difference of the two numbers is 16.
x - y = 16
:
Multiply the above equation by 3, add to the 1st equation
2x + 3y = 72
3x - 3y = 48
-------------adding eliminates y, find x
5x = 120
x = 120/5
x = 24
:
I'll let you find y, check solutions in both equations

RELATED QUESTIONS
The difference of two numbers is -1. If twice the first number is added to three times... (answered by macston)

The difference of two numbers is -1. If twice the first number is added to three times... (answered by Alan3354)

The sum of two numbers is 39.Twice the first number plus three times the second number is (answered by scott8148)

The sum of two numbers is 20. The difference between three times the first number and... (answered by josgarithmetic,ankor@dixie-net.com,stanbon)

a number minus twice another number is 4. Three times the first number plus two times the (answered by JulietG,TimothyLamb)

i think of two numbers, the first number plus three times the second number is 1, the... (answered by Alan3354)

The sum of Two numbers is 39.Twice the first number and plus 3 times the second number is (answered by ursuchacrass)

the difference of two numbers is 10. the difference of three times the first number and... (answered by josgarithmetic)

The sum of three numbers is 10. Two times the second number minus the first number is... (answered by lwsshak3)