<PRE><B>Question 1011638</B>
Write an equation for each statement
:
 I am thinking of 2 numbers.
a &amp; b
 Three times the first added to four times the second is 65,
3a + 4b = 65
 while four times the first added to three times the second is 61.
4a + 3b = 61
:
multiply the 1st equation by 4, the 2nd equation by 3
12a + 16b = 260
12a + 9b = 183
------------------Subtraction eliminates a, find b
7b = 77
b = 77/7
b = 11
Find a using the 1st equation, replace b with 11
3a + 4(11) = 65
3a = 65 - 44
3a = 21
a = 21/3
a = 7
:
 What is the sum of the two numbers? 7 + 11 = 18
:
;
Check our solutions in the 2nd equation
4(7) + 3(11) = 61
28 + 33 = 61</PRE>