Question

There are two numbers whose sum is 53. three times the smaller is equal to 19 more than the larger number. what are the numbers?

Answer 1

The numbers are 35 and 18

Answer 2

Two numbers whose sum is 53=X+Y

Transpose Y to the other side to obtain: X=53-Y - Equation 1
3X=19+Y - Equation 2
Substitute Equation 1 into Equation 2: 3(53-Y)=19+Y - use distributive property to distribute 3
159-3Y=19+Y group similar expressions by using transposition
140=4Y divide both sides by four
35=Y

53=X+35 transpose 35 to the left side
53-35=X
X=18
The numbers are 35 and 18