SOLUTION: The difference of two numbers is 45. The second is 3 less than 3 times the first. What are the two numbers?

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Question 75197: The difference of two numbers is 45. The second is 3 less than 3 times the first. What are the two numbers?
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let f=first number, s=second number. Here's the translation:
s-f=45"The difference (-) of two numbers(s and f) is (=) 45"
s=3f-3"The second (s) is (=) 3 less (-3) than 3 times the first(3f)"
So plug in s=3f-3 into f-s=45
highlight%283f-3%29-f=45
2f%2B3=45Add like terms
2f=48Subtract 3 from both sides
f=24This is our first number
So the 1st number is 24. Use this to find the second number:
s-24=45Add 24 to both sides
s=69This is our second number
So the 2 numbers are 69 and 24


Check:
s-f=45Plug in f=24 and s=69
69-24=45
45=45works
s=3f-3Plug in f=24 and s=69
69=3%2824%29-3
69=72-3
69=69works