Question 133433: One number is five more than another and their sum is three less than three times the smaller. Find the numbers. Answer by nycsharkman(136) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! One number is five more than another and their sum is three less than three times the smaller. Find the numbers.
Let x = smaller number
Let x + 5 = bigger number
smaller number PLUS bigger number = 3 times smaller number minus three.
Here's what the statement looks like as an equation:
x + x + 5 = 3x - 3
Now, solve for x.
2x + 5 = 3x - 3
2x - 3x = -3 -5
-x = - 8
x = 8...smaller number
x + 5 becomes 8 + 5 = 13...bigger number
The smaller number is 8 and and bigger number is 13.
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