document.write( "Question 520775: I cannot solve this problem. I know what the answer is because I used a process if elimination but donīt understand how to write the equation.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The sum of a number is 18. Three times the greater number exceeds four times the smaller number by 5. Find the numbers. The answers are 7 and 11.
\n" ); document.write( "Is there\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Is there anyway to solve this problem without 2 variables as we havenīt been using two variables, only one. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #346218 by Earlsdon(6294)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Yes, there is a way using only one variable!
\n" ); document.write( "Let a = the smaller number, then (18-a) = the larger number. Why, because:
\n" ); document.write( "a+(18-a) = 18 \"The sum of the two numbers is 18\".
\n" ); document.write( "Also, from the problem description, you have:
\n" ); document.write( "3(18-a) = 4a+5 \"Three times the larger number exceeds four times the smaller number by 5. Simplify this equation.
\n" ); document.write( "54-3a = 4a+5 Add 3a to both sides.
\n" ); document.write( "54 = 7a+5 Now subtract 5 from both sides.
\n" ); document.write( "49 = 7a Finally, divide both sides by 7.
\n" ); document.write( "7 = a or a = 7 and 18-7 = 11
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