Question 1014365: If twice the smaller number is subtracted from triple the value of the other, the difference is 5. Find the smaller number given that their sum is 20.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! two numbers, a & b
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Write an equation for each statement
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If twice the smaller number is subtracted from triple the value of the other, the difference is 5.
3a - 2b = 5
Find the smaller number given that their sum is 20.
a + b = 20
b = -a + 20
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In the first equation, replace b with (-a+20)
3a - 2(-a+20) = 5
3a + 2a - 40 = 5
5a = 5 + 40
5a = 45
a = 45/5
a = 9
Find b
b = -9 + 20
b = 11
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Looks like a is the smaller number
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See if that works using the 1st equation
3(9) - 2(11) = 5
27 - 22 = 5
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