SOLUTION: The larger of two numbers is 5 less than twice the smaller number. The sum of the two numbers is 28. What are the numbers? Known: sum of the numbers = 28 I am stuck.

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Numbers -> SOLUTION: The larger of two numbers is 5 less than twice the smaller number. The sum of the two numbers is 28. What are the numbers? Known: sum of the numbers = 28 I am stuck.      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


   



Question 165745This question is from textbook Elementary and Intermdiate Algebra
: The larger of two numbers is 5 less than twice the smaller number. The sum of the two numbers is 28. What are the numbers?
Known: sum of the numbers = 28

I am stuck.
This question is from textbook Elementary and Intermdiate Algebra

Answer by Mathtut(3670) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
lets call the smaller a and the larger b
b=2a-5 a+b=28 solve for a in the 2nd equation and we get a=28-b. now take the value of a and substitute it into the 1st equation. b=2(28-b)-5 now distribute the right side
b=56-2b-5 combine terms
b=51-2b add 2b to each side
3b=51 divide by 3
b=17 and since a=28-b(17) then a =11
so the smaller number is 11 and the larger is 17