Question

The sum of two numbers is 56. Two times the smaller

number is 12 more than one-half the larger number.
Let x represent the smaller number and let y repre-
sent the larger number.

Answer 1

x=16

y=40

Explanation:

x + y = 56

y = 56 - x (isolate a variable)

y = -x + 56 (this is optional)

2x = .5y + 12

2x = .5(-x + 56) + 12 (substitute for y)

2x = -.5x + 28 + 12

2x = -.5x + 40

2.5x = 40

x = 16

16 + y = 56 (plug what you got for x back into the original eq)

y = 40