document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1142537>Question 1142537</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> one number is 3 less than a second number. twice the second number is 4 less than 3 times the first. find the smaller of the two numbers </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #763231 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><B>ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ankor@dixie-net.com><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=ankor@dixie-net.com><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=763231\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\">  one number is 3 less than a second number.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = b - 3<BR>\n" );
document.write( " twice the second number is 4 less than 3 times the first.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2b = 3a - 4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "replace a with (b-3) from the first equation<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2b = 3(b-3) - 4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2b = 3b = - 9 - 4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "2b - 3b = -13<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-b = -13<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b = 13<BR>\n" );
document.write( "a is 3 less, therefore <BR>\n" );
document.write( "a = 10<BR>\n" );
document.write( " find the smaller of the two numbers: 10<BR>\n" );
document.write( ":<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Check using the 2nd equation<BR>\n" );
document.write( " 2(13) = 3(10) - 4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "26 = 30 - 4\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );