document.write( "Question 515425: Could you please show work on how you get the answer for: One number is 4 less than 3 times another. Their sum is -16. Find the smaller. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #343975 by oberobic(2304) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x and y be two numbers.
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\n" ); document.write( "We're told x is 4 less than three times y.
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\n" ); document.write( "x = 3y-4
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\n" ); document.write( "We're told the sum is -16.
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\n" ); document.write( "x + y = -16
\n" ); document.write( "so
\n" ); document.write( "x = -16-y
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\n" ); document.write( "Substitute x = 3y-4
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\n" ); document.write( "3y-4 = -16-y
\n" ); document.write( "4y = -12
\n" ); document.write( "y = -3
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\n" ); document.write( "Substitute to find 'x'
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\n" ); document.write( "x + y = -16
\n" ); document.write( "x + (-3) = -16
\n" ); document.write( "x = -13
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\n" ); document.write( "Check the solution to be sure it is the answer.
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\n" ); document.write( "Does x = 3y-4?
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\n" ); document.write( "3(-3)-4 = -9-4 = -13
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\n" ); document.write( "Answer: The smaller number is -3.
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\n" ); document.write( "Done. \n" ); document.write( "

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