document.write( "Question 545112: the sum of two numbers is 73. five times the smaller number exceeds the larger number by 149. find the numbers. \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #355490 by oberobic(2304) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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x + y = 73
\n" ); document.write( "so
\n" ); document.write( "x = 73 - y
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\n" ); document.write( "5*x = y + 149
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\n" ); document.write( "Substitute.
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\n" ); document.write( "5(73-y) = y + 149
\n" ); document.write( "365 -5y = y + 149
\n" ); document.write( "216 = 6y
\n" ); document.write( "y = 216/6
\n" ); document.write( "y = 36
\n" ); document.write( ".
\n" ); document.write( "x = 73 - y
\n" ); document.write( "x = 73 - 36
\n" ); document.write( "x = 37
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\n" ); document.write( "Check the answer.
\n" ); document.write( "5*x = 185
\n" ); document.write( "185 = 36 + 149
\n" ); document.write( "Correct.
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\n" ); document.write( "However, x is not \"the smaller number.\" In setting up the algebraic solution, there is no means to determine which is \"smaller\" or \"larger\" until the solution is found.
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\n" ); document.write( "Done. \n" ); document.write( "

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