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Question 243383: the smaller of two numbers is 3 less than the larger. twice the larger plus 4 times the smaller is 36. find the numbers.
Answer by oberobic(2304)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Always read and understand the question to make sure you set up the variables and equations. Also, be sure to use the minimum number of unknowns, which usually means defining one variable in terms of another.
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Here we have two numbers. Let's call them x & y. But we are told that the smaller number is 3 less than the larger number. So it better to define them as:
x = larger number
x -3 = smaller number
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We also are told 2*x + 4*(x-3) = 36.
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Solving this equation, we have:
2x + 4x - 12 = 36
Add 12 to both sides and combine like terms.
6x = 48
Divide both sides by 6
x = 8
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Going back to the setup, we know the other number = x -3 = 8 -3 = 5.
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So the two numbers are 8 & 5.
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