SOLUTION: Two numbers sum to 74. Thrice the first subtracted from the second is 2. Find the numbers

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Question 1060868: Two numbers sum to 74. Thrice the first subtracted from the second is 2. Find the numbers
Answer by addingup(3677) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x+y = 74, subtract x on both sides:
y = 74-x
Then the problem says
y-3x = 2 substitute for y
74-x-3x = 2
74-4x = 2
-4x = -72 divide both sides by -4, and remember -/- = +
x = 18 and y = 74-x:
74-18 = 56
Now we have that
x = 18
y = 56
------------------------
Check:
y-3x = 2
56-3(18) = 2
56-54 = 2 Correct.
:
John