Question

I think of two consecutive odd numbers, five times the smaller plus three times the larger is 62. Find the numbers.

Answer 1

7 and 9

Explanation:

Variables:

x = smaller number

y = larger number

We can set up two equations with the information given:

5x + 3y = 62

and

y = x + 2

We get the second equation with the information that the two numbers are consecutive and both odd. therefore the smaller number is two less than the larger number, and the larger number is two greater than the smaller number.

Next, we need to replace our y in the first equation with the y in the second:

5x + 3y = 62

5x + 3 (x+2) = 62

5x + 3x + 6 = 62

8x = 56

x (smaller number) = 7

Finally, we solve for the larger number by placing it back into the second equation:

y = x + 2

y = 7 + 2

y (larger number) = 9

I hope this helps!

-TheBusinessMan