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The sum of two numbers is 27. The larger number is 3 more than the smaller number. What are the two numbers? PLEASE DO NOT GIVE ME ANSWERS JUST EXPLAIN HOW TO SOLVE.

User Webmagnets
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Let x and y be the two numbers

Saying "The sum of two numbers is 27" means x+y = 27. The term "sum" is the result of adding. So the first equation is x+y = 27

The second equation is y = x+3 where we assume that y is the larger number of the pair.

So your system of equations will be
x+y = 27
y = x+3

Use substitution to solve this system.
x+y = 27
x+( y ) = 27
x + (x+3) = 27 ... notice how y has been replaced with x+3 (since y = x+3)
x+x+3 = 27
Solve for x and then use this to find y. I'll let you finish up.

If you need more help, then please let me know.
User LaVache
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