SOLUTION: The sum of the two numbers is 42. The second number is 3 less than 4 times the first number. What are the two numbers? How do I solve this?

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Question 956903: The sum of the two numbers is 42. The second number is 3 less than 4 times the first
number. What are the two numbers? How do I solve this?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let the numbers be +a+ and +b+
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(1) +a+%2B+b++=+42+
(2) +b+=+4a+-+3+
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(2) +4a+-+b+=+3+
Add (1) and (2)
(1) +a+%2B+b++=+42+
(2) +4a+-+b+=+3+
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+5a+=+45+
+a+=+9+
and
(1) +9+%2B+b++=+42+
(1) +b+=+33+
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The numbers are 9 and 33
check:
4 times the 1st number is +36+
3 less than that is +33+
that is the 2nd number
OK