Question 273568
let x be the first number
let y be the second number.
if they're the same number, then you make y = x.


assuming the numbers are different, then:


6x + 7 = 3y - 8


assuming the numbers are the same, then:


6x + 7 = 3x - 8


assuming they're the same number, I would solve this to get:


6x + 7 = 3x - 8
subtract 7 from both sides of this equation and subtract 3x from both sides of this equation to get:
6x - 3x = -8 - 7
combine like terms to get:
3x = -15
divide both sides by 3 to get:
x = -5


assuming the number is -5, then:


6*-5 + 7 = 3*-5 - 8
simplify to get:
-30+7 = -15-8
combine like terms to get:
-23 = -23


equation is satisfied.


number is -5


the product of 6 and the number is -30
seven more than that is -23


the product of 3 and the number is -15
8 less than that is -23.