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The difference of two numbers is 33. The sum of the first number and four times the second number is -2. What is the larger of the two numbers?

User Pierz
by
4.9k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Answer:

The larger of the two is 44.67

Explanation:

let the first number=x

let the second number=y

We can derive a system of equations using the mathematical statements

Their sum is 33:

x+y=33( call this equation 1)

Sum of first number and four times the second is -2:

x+4y=-2(call this equation 2)

Since the integer coefficients of x in both equations are the same we can quickly subtract one from the other to eliminate it

For this explanation, I choose to subtract equation 1 from 2

(x+4y=-2)-(x+y=33)=3y=-35

y=-35/3

Now plug in the value of y into any equation for that of x. Say we plug into equation 1

x+(-35/3)=33

x-35/3=33( multiply through by 3)

3x-35=99

3x=99+35

3x=134

x=134/3

Therefore,x=134/3 or 44.67 and y=-35/3 or -11.67

User Ursin Brunner
by
4.6k points
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