Question

The larger of two numbers is 3 fewer than 4 times the smaller number. If the

sum of the two numbers is 32, find the two numbers.

Answer 1

25 and 7

Explanation:

You want to find two numbers with a sum of 32 such that the larger is 3 less than 4 times the smaller.

Setup

Let s represent the smaller number. Then the larger is (4s-3) and their sum is ...

s +(4s -3) = 32

Solution

Collect terms to get ...

5s -3 = 32

5s = 35 . . . . . . . add 3

s = 7 . . . . . . . divide by 5

4s-3 = 28-3 = 25 . . . . the larger number

The two numbers are 7 and 25.