Question 1156198: The sum of two numbers is 23.The greater number is 4 less than 2 times the smaller number.What are the two numbers? Answer by alanc(27) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Translate this word problem into an equation.
Let the letter a = the greater number.
let b = the smaller number.
We see a + b = 23
Also
a = 2b - 4
We have a system of 2 equations in 2 variables.
Let us use substitution.
(2b - 4) + b = 23
3b - 4 = 23
3b - 4 + 4 = 23 + 4
3b = 27
3b / 3 = 27 / 3
b = 9
So...
a = 2*9 - 4
a = 18 - 4 = 14
The two numbers are 14 and 9
