|
Question 620642: the difference of two numbers is 47. The first number is 31 less than twice the second number. What are the two numbers?
Answer by dragonwalker(73)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! So let us call the first number 'n'. We know that the second number is n+47 or n-47
So the first number, n = 2(n + 47)-31 or 2(n - 47)-31
solve for n when n is smaller than the second number (i.e. second number is equal to n+47):
n = 2(n+47)-31
n = 2n+94-31
n-2n=94-31
-n=63
n=-63
and the second number is n+47 = -16
when n is the larger number and therefore the second number is smaller (n-47):
n = 2(n-47)-31
n = 2n-94-31
n-2n = -125
-n = -125
n=125
and the second number is n-47 = 78
If the question definitely means that the first number is the smaller one then you would just use the n+47 and end up with the two negative numbers -63 and -16
If it does not imply then you would have to give both solutions but I actually expect that the first scenario is expected.
|
|
|
| |
