Question

Write a system of equations to describe the situation below, solve using any method, and fill in the blanks.

Samir is thinking of two numbers. Adding 5 times the first number and 4 times the second number gives a total of 21. Also, adding 5 times the first number and 9 times the second number gives 16. What are the two numbers?

Answer 1

the first number is 3.4 and the second number is 1

Explanation:

The computation of the two numbers is shown below:

Let us assume the first number be x

And, the second number be y

Now the equations are

5x + 4y = 21

And,

5x + 9y = 16

Now subtract equation 2 from equation 1

-5y = -5

y = 1

And, the x is

5x + 4 = 21

5x = 17

x = 3.4

Hence, the first number is 3.4 and the second number is 1