SOLUTION: the sum of two numbers is 38. three times the smaller number exceeds the larger number by 30. find the numbers

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Question 769497: the sum of two numbers is 38. three times the smaller number exceeds the larger number by 30. find the numbers
Answer by 55305(86) About Me  (Show Source):
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Suppose we assume the two numbers are x and y, with x being the smaller one. The sum of the 2 numbers is x%2By=38, and we are also given that 3x-y=30.
Adding the two equations, we get x%2By%2B3x-y=30%2B38, which simplifies to 4x=68. Dividing both sides by 4, we get x=17.
y=38-x=38-17=21
So x=17 and y=21.