Question 992961

The second of two numbers is two less than three times the first. Find these numbers if their sum is 26. I have tried the equations 3x+-2=26 and x-6x=26, but they do not seem to work and I end up with fractions and am not able to find the second number.
<pre>Your equations are incorrect!! Do this as follows:
Let the first be F
Then 2<sup>nd</sup> number = 3F - 2
As both sum to 26, we get: F + 3F - 2 = 26
4F - 2 = 26
4F = 28
F, or 1<sup>st</sup> number = {{{28/4}}}
Thus, {{{highlight_green(system(1^(st)_number = 7,2^(nd)_number = 19))}}}