SOLUTION: the difference of two numbers is tripled. the result is decreased by 1. if the lesser of the two values is 4, the result is 8.3. find the greatest number. please?

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Question 241855: the difference of two numbers is tripled. the result is decreased by 1. if the lesser of the two values is 4, the result is 8.3. find the greatest number.
please?
Answer by College Student(505) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Variables are: a, b, c
Let a = 4
Let c = 8.3
We need to find b.
.
The equation then becomes:
3%28a-b%29-1=c
3%284-b%29-1=8.3
12-3b-1=8.3
-3b=8.3-12%2B1
-3b=-2.7
b=0.9
.
*** We are not getting an integer for a result. Did you really mean to type 8.3 or 8? I'm going to work it out for 8 just in case, because we would end up with an integer as a result.
.
3%28a-b%29-1=c
3%284-b%29-1=8
12-3b-1=8
-3b=8-12%2B1
-3b=-3
b=1
.
I hope this helped.