document.write( "Question 139168: the difference between two numbers is -38. two times the smaller number minus five times the larger number is -217. what are the numbers? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #101503 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the difference between two numbers is -38. two times the smaller number minus five times the larger number is -217. what are the numbers?
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Let x = a number
\n" ); document.write( "Let y = another number
\n" ); document.write( ";
\n" ); document.write( "Write an equation for each statement:
\n" ); document.write( "\"the difference between two numbers is -38.\"
\n" ); document.write( "x - y = -38
\n" ); document.write( "or
\n" ); document.write( "x = (y-38)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "\" two times the smaller number minus five times the larger number is -217.\"
\n" ); document.write( "2x - 5y = -217
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "what are the numbers?
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Substitute (y-38) for x in the above equation, find y:
\n" ); document.write( "2(y-38) - 5y = -217
\n" ); document.write( "2y - 76 - 5y = -217
\n" ); document.write( "2y - 5y = -217 + 76
\n" ); document.write( "-3y = -141
\n" ); document.write( "y = \"%28-141%29%2F%28-3%29\"
\n" ); document.write( "y = +47
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Find x:
\n" ); document.write( "x = 47 - 38
\n" ); document.write( "x = +9
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Check solutions in the statement:
\n" ); document.write( "\"two times the smaller number minus five times the larger number is -217.\"
\n" ); document.write( "2(9) - 5(47) =
\n" ); document.write( "18 - 235 = -217; confirms our solutions \n" ); document.write( "
\n" );