document.write( "Question 4584: Solve the given word problem. You must use algebra and show your work.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "There are two numbers where the smaller number is 2 less than the larger number. The total of three times the smaller number and twice the larger is forty-four. Find the numbers. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #2112 by glitzgirl_14(11)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First you should set up 2 separate equations. I am going to use 's' for the smaller number and 'L' for the larger.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "s = L - 2
\n" ); document.write( "3*s + 2*L = 44\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Since you have the s equaling something, substitute 'L - 2' in for s in the second equation. So it would look like:
\n" ); document.write( "3( L - 2 ) + 2 * L = 44
\n" ); document.write( "Use the distributive property:
\n" ); document.write( "3L - 6 + 2L = 44
\n" ); document.write( "Put the L's together:
\n" ); document.write( "5L - 6 = 44
\n" ); document.write( "Bring the six over:
\n" ); document.write( "5L = 50
\n" ); document.write( "Divide by 5:
\n" ); document.write( "L= 10
\n" ); document.write( "Go back to the equation: s = L - 2
\n" ); document.write( "Substitute 10 in for L:
\n" ); document.write( "s = 10 - 2
\n" ); document.write( "s = 8\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "So the smaller number is 8 and the larger is 10. \n" ); document.write( "
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