Question

The larger of two number is two less than three times the smaller number. The sum of two numbers is forty-two. Find both numbers.

Answer 1

Larger number: 3x -2
Smaller number: x

3x-2+ x = 42
4x-2=42
4x= 44
x=11

Now substitute:

Larger number: 3(11)-2
33 - 2
31
Smaller number: (11)

Answer 2

let the smaller number be : x
let the larger number be : 3x - 2

3x - 2 + x = 42
4 x - 2 = 42
4x = 42 + 2 = 44
x = 44 / 4 = 11

Answer :

smaller number = 11

larger number = 3 (11) - 2 = 31