Question

The larger of two numbers is 8 less than 3 times the smaller number. The sum of the two numbers is 24. Find the SMALLER number.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation

Let 'L' be the larger number and 's' be the smaller number.

We can write a system of equations for this problem:

`\begin{cases}L=3s-8 \\ s+L=24\end{cases}`

We can use the substitution method to find s. Replace the first equation into the second equation:

`\begin{gathered} s+L=24 \\ s+(3s-8)=24 \\ (s+3s)-8=24 \\ 4s-8=24 \end{gathered}`

And solve for s: