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the difference between two positive numbers is 9. one number is three times less than four times the other number. what are the two numbers?

User Lukenzo
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1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

See explanation below.

the numbers are 27 and 36

or

the numbers are 4 and 13

Explanation:

Let the numbers be x and y.

"the difference between two positive numbers is 9"

y - x = 9

One of your statements is:

"one number is three times less than four times the other"

Are you sure the first word times belongs there?

If so, then the second equation below is correct.

y = 4x/3

y = x + 9

y = 4x/3

4x/3 = x + 9

4x = 3x + 27

x = 27

y = x + 9

y = 27 + 9

y = 36

Answer: the numbers are 27 and 36

If the second statement is really:

"one number is three less than four times the other number"

without the first word "times"

then the second equation is

y = 4x - 3

The equations are:

y - x = 9

y = 4x - 3

4x - 3 - x = 9

3x = 12

x = 4

y - 4 = 9

y = 13

Answer: the numbers are 4 and 13

User Shamsup
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8.2k points