SOLUTION: The smaller of two numbers is thrice the larger. The larger number is eight more than the smaller one. What is the larger number?

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Question 1181834: The smaller of two numbers is thrice the larger. The larger number is eight more than the smaller one. What is the larger number?
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20055) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The smaller of two numbers is thrice the larger.
 
%28matrix%282%2C1%2CThe%2CSmaller%29%29%22%22=%22%223%2A%28matrix%282%2C1%2CThe%2CLarger%29%29
The larger number is eight more than the smaller one.
%0D%0A%28matrix%282%2C1%2CThe%2CLarger%29%29%22%22=%22%22%28matrix%282%2C1%2CThe%2CSmaller%29%29%22%22%2B%22%228

Put S for the Smaller.
Put L for the Larger.

matrix%281%2C1%2CS%29%22%22=%22%223%2Amatrix%281%2C1%2CL%29

matrix%281%2C1%2CL%29%22%22=%22%22matrix%281%2C1%2CS%29%22%22%2B%22%228

Substitute 3%2Amatrix%281%2C1%2CL%29 for S in the second equation:

matrix%281%2C1%2CL%29%22%22=%22%22matrix%281%2C1%2C3%2AL%29%22%22%2B%22%228 

Subtract 3%2AL from both sides:

L-3%2AL%22%22=%22%228

1%2AL-3%2AL%22%22=%22%228

-2%2AL%22%22=%22%228

Divide both sides by -2

%28-2%2AL%29%2F%28-2%29%7D%7D%7B%7B%7B%22%22=%22%228%2F%28-2%29

%28cross%28-2%29%2AL%29%2F%28cross%28-2%29%29%22%22=%22%22-4%29

L%22%22=%22%22-4

Edwin