Question 210165: The sum of two numbers is 18. Find the numbers, if three times the smaller is one less than twice the larger. Answer by Earlsdon(6294) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Let a = the larger number and b = the smaller number.
1) a+b = 18 "The sum of two numbers is 18." Rewrite this as: b = 18-a and substitute into equation 2).
2) 3b = 2a-1 "...three times the smaller is one less than twice the larger..."
3(18-a)= 2a-1 Simplify.
54-3a = 2a-1 Add 1 to both sides.
55-3a = 2a Add 3a to both sides.
55 = 5a Finally, divide both sides by 5.
11 = a ...and...
b = 18-a
b = 18-11
b = 7
The two numbers are: 11 and 7
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