Question 106550
The sum of two numbers is 82. The larger number is 17 less than twice the smaller number. What are the two numbers?
:
Just write what it says:
:
"The sum of two numbers is 82." 
Let larger number = x; 
then
(82-x) = the smaller number
:
"The larger number is 17 less than twice the smaller number"
x = 2(82-x) - 17
x = 164 - 2x - 17
x + 2x = 164 - 17
3x = 147
x = 147/3 
x = 49
Then
82 - 49 = 33 = the smaller number
:
:
Check our solution using the statement:
"The larger number is 17 less than twice the smaller number."
49 = 2(33) - 17
49 = 66 - 17; confirms our solution