Question

One number is five more than another, and their sum is three less than three times the smaller. Find the numbers.

If x represents the smaller number, which equation could be used to solve for x?

A. x 2 + 5 = 3x - 3
B. 2x + 5 = 3x - 3
C. 2x + 5 = 3(x - 3)

Answer 1

The answer is B, because if you were to write it out first you could modify the equation to look like that and still be true.

Answer 2

B.
`2x+5=3x-3`.

Explanation:

Let x represent the smaller number.

We have been one number is five more than another. The another number would be:
`x+5`.

Sum of both numbers would be
`x+x+5=2x+5`

Three times the smaller number would be
`3x`.

Three less than three times the smaller number would be
`3x-3`.

We have been given that their sum is three less than three times the smaller. We can represent this information in an equation as:
`2x+5=3x-3`.

Therefore, option B is the correct choice.