Question

Four times a first number decreased by a second number is 19. The first number increased by four times the second number is −8. Find the numbers.

Answer 1

a = 4

b = -3

Explanation:

Let a and b be the two numbers.

According to question,

4a - b = 19........(i)

And,

a + 4b = -8........(ii)

From (i),

4a - b = 19

or, b = 4a - 19

Replacing b in (ii),

a + 4(4a - 19) = -8

a + 16a - 76 = -8

17a = -8 + 76

17a = 68

a = 68/17

a = 4

And,

b = 4a - 19

= 4 x 4 - 19

= 16 - 19

= -3