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Question:

shelleyrenea
shelleyrenea
Student
High School - 11th Grade

problem:the larger of two numbers is five more than twice the smaller number.the sum of the two numbers is 39.find the numbers.what is the equation

 

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Posted by shelleyrenea on Thursday October 29, 2009 at 12:07 PM and tagged with algebra one, math.

Answers:

  1. kjcdb8er
    kjcdb8er Teacher

    eNotes Editor

    Let the two numbers be x and y. x is smaller.

    "two times the smaller number" is 2x

    "five more than 2x" is 2x + 5 = "the larger number," y

    So 2x + 5 = y            (1)

    Also, x + y = 39         (2)

     

    Multiply (2) by 2 so now you have:

    2x + 5 = y

    2x + 2y = 78

     

    Subtract the two equations:

    2x + 5 - (2x + 2y) = y - 78

    5 - 2y = y - 78

    3y = 83

    y = 83/3

     

    So x + y = 39  --> x = 39 - y = 39*3/3 - 83/3

    x = 34/3

    Rate answer:

    Posted by kjcdb8er on Thursday October 29, 2009 at 12:29 PM