Question 418940
"One number is 3 less than a second number.  Twice the second number is 48 more than 5 times the first.  Find the two numbers"


x = second number
x - 3 = one number {one number is 3 less than the second}


2x = 5(x - 3) + 48 {twice second is 48 more than 5 times first}
2x = 5x - 15 + 48 {used distributive property}
2x = 5x + 33 {combined like terms}
-3x = 33 {subtracted 5x from both sides}
x = -11 {divided both sides by -3} 
x - 3 = -14 {substituted -11, in for x, into x - 3}


one number is -14
second number is -11
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