Algebra (equations and formulae)The larger of two numbers is four times the smaller, and their sum is 85. Find the two numbers. I need a brief working out...

Algebra (equations and formulae) The larger of two numbers is four times the smaller, and their sum is 85. Find the two numbers. I need a brief working out...

4x + x = 85

the first step should be to add the like terms: 4x and x

5x = 85

now divide by 5

x = 17

so 17 is the first number now just multiply 17 by 4 to get the next number

17 x 4 = 68

the two numbers are 17 and 68

The larger of two numbers is four times the smaller, and their sum is 85. Find the two numbers.

Let the two numbers be x and y. 

Their sum is 85 so: x + y = 85

The larger of the two numbers (lets say y is larger) is four times the smaller. (then x must be the smaller) so: y = 4x

With these two equations we can substitute and solve. 

Let x represent the smaller of the two numbers.

As the other number is four times the smaller number its value is equal to four times x. that is 4x.

Then sum of the two number, which is equal to 85, is given by:

Sum of two number = 85 = x + 4x

==> 5x = 85

Therefore:

x = 85/5 = 17

Smaller number = 17

Other number = 4x = 4*17 = 68

Answer:

The two numbers are 17 and 68.