SOLUTION: the smaller of two numbers is 3 less than the greater. If the greater is decreased by twice the smaller, the result is -5. Find the two numbers.

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Question 1127135: the smaller of two numbers is 3 less than the greater. If the greater is decreased by twice the smaller, the result is -5. Find the two numbers.
Found 2 solutions by MathLover1, MathTherapy:
Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
let's the smaller number be x and the greater number be y

if the smaller number is 3 less than the greater,we have
x=y-3....eq.1
if the greater is decreased by twice the smaller, the result is -5, so we have
y-2x=-5....eq.2...substitute x from eq.1
y-2%28y-3%29=-5.......solve for y
y-2y-6=-5
-y-6=-5
5-6=y
y=-1

x=-1-3....eq.1
x=-4

the two numbers are:-4 and -1

Answer by MathTherapy(10553) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
the smaller of two numbers is 3 less than the greater. If the greater is decreased by twice the smaller, the result is -5. Find the two numbers.
Correct answer: highlight_green%28matrix%281%2C3%2C+8%2C+and%2C+11%29%29, NOT - 4 and - 1.