Question

The difference between two numbers is 28. The first number is three times the other number. What are the numbers?A.14 and 42B.26 and 42C.14 and 14D.15 and 43

Answer 1

We define the two numbers as x and y.

From the statement, we know that:

• (1), the difference between the two numbers is 28:

`x-y=28,`

• (2), the first number (x) is three times the other number (y):

`x=3y\text{.}`

Replacing the equation from point (2) in point (1), we have the following equation for number y:

`\begin{gathered} 3y-y=28, \\ 2y=28. \end{gathered}`

Solving for y, we get:

`y=(28)/(2)=14.`

Replacing this result in the equation from point (2), we get:

`x=3\cdot14=42.`

So the numbers are x = 42 and y = 14.

Answer

A. 14 and 42