document.write( "Question 370549: The sum of two numbers is 52, and their difference is two less than the smaller number. What are the two numbers? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #264125 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
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\"The sum of two numbers is 52,\"
\n" ); document.write( "x + y = 52
\n" ); document.write( "y = (52-x)
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "\"their difference is two less than the smaller number.\"
\n" ); document.write( "x - y = y - 2
\n" ); document.write( "x = y + y - 2
\n" ); document.write( "x = 2y - 2
\n" ); document.write( "replace y with (52-x)
\n" ); document.write( "x = 2(52-x) - 2
\n" ); document.write( "x = 104 - 2x - 2
\n" ); document.write( "x + 2x = 104 - 2
\n" ); document.write( "3x = 102
\n" ); document.write( "x = \"102%2F3\"
\n" ); document.write( "x = 34 is the larger number
\n" ); document.write( "then
\n" ); document.write( "y = 52 - 34
\n" ); document.write( "y = 18 is the smaller number
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\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "check solution in the statement,
\n" ); document.write( "\"their difference is two less than the smaller number.\",
\n" ); document.write( "34 - 18 = 18 - 2
\n" ); document.write( "16 = 16
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