Question

One number is 3 less than twice another. If their sum is 39 find the numbers

Which of the following systems of equations represents the word problem?​

Answer 1

The numbers are 14 and 25

Explanation:

Let one of the numbers be x. The second number we are told is 3 less than twice x. The second number will thus be;

2x - 3

The sum of the numbers is thus;

x + (2x - 3) = 3x - 3

But the sum of the numbers is said to be 39, therefore;

3x - 3 = 39

3x = 42

x = 14

The second number is thus;

2(14) - 3 = 28 - 3 = 25