You can put this solution on YOUR website! Let x = the first number
Let y = the second number
:
Write an equation for each statement:
:
"One number is 3 less than a second number."
x - 3 = y
or
x = y + 3
:
"Twice the second number is 9 less than 5 times the first."
2y = 5x - 9
:
Find the smaller of the two numbers.
:
In the above equation, replace x with (y+3)
2y = 5(y+3) - 9
2y = 5y + 15 - 9
2y - 5y = 15 - 9
-3y = 6
y =
y = -2 is the smaller number
:
:
To check solution find x:
x - 3 = -2
x = -2 + 3
x = 1
:
Check solution in the statement:
"Twice the second number is 9 less than 5 times the first."
2(-2) = 5(1) - 9
-4 = 5 - 9
