Question

The sum of two numbers is 56. One number is 3 times as large as the other. What are the numbers?

larger number

smaller number

Answer 1

42 and 14 because 14x3 is 42 and 14+42=56

Answer 2

42 and 14

Step-by-step explanation:

x+y = 56
x = 3y

Substitute for x in the first equation:
x + y = 56
x = 3y
3y + y = 56
Combine like terms:
4y = 56
Divide both sides by 4:
y = 14

So if y = 14, and x = 3y, then x = 42.

Now substitute for both x and y in both of the original equations to prove they are the correct values.

x + y = 56
x = 42
y = 4
42 + 14 = 56
56 = 56

x = 3y
x = 42
y = 14
42 = 3*14
42 = 42

So the two numbers, x and y, are 42 and 14.