Question

The first number plus the second number equals 83, the first number

minus the second number equals 33. What are the two numbers?

Answer 1

I hope this helps

Explanation:

So the way to handle a problem like this is to rewrite the three numbers in terms of their relationship to one of the three numbers. Let's call the numbers x, y, and z, where x is the first number, y is the second, and z is the third.

We know x + y + z = 83.

Since the third number is twice the second, we say that z = 2y.

Since the second number is seven less than the first, we say that y = x - 7. We can rewrite this as x = y + 7.

Now all three can be written in terms of y.

x + y + z = 83

(y + 7) + y + 2y = 83

4y + 7 = 83

4y = 76

y = 19

The second number is 19. The first is 19 + 7 or 26, and the third is 2 times 19 or 38.

A check reveals that 26 + 19 + 38 = 83.