Question

The sum of two numbers is 12 4 times the smaller number is 1 less than 3 times the larger number

Answer 1

Answer: 5 and 7

Explanation:

Let x be the smaller number and y be the larger number.

x + y = 12

4x = 3y - 1

I will solve for y by substituting for x from the first equation. (There are different ways to solve this, but for simplicity I am using the substitution method.)

x = 12 - y

4(12 - y) = 3y - 1

48 - 4y = 3y - 1

49 = 7y

y = 7

Now that I have found the larger number y, I will now plug it into the first equation and solve for x.

x + y = 12

x + 7 = 12

x = 5