Question 401359
"Four times a number added to another number is 36. Three times the first number minus the other number is 20. Can you please tell me the numbers."


x = the number
y = other number


4x + y = 36 {four times a number added to another number is 36}
3x - y = 20 {three times the 1st minus other is 20}
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7x = 56 {added the two equations together and eliminated the y}
x = 8 {divided both sides by 7}
The first number is 8.


4x + y = 36 {top equation}
4(8) + y = 36 {substituted 8 in for x}
32 + y = 36 {multiplied 4 by 8}
y = 4 {subtracted 32 from both sides}
The other number is 4.


8 and 4 are the two numbers.


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