Question

The sun of two numbers is 17. One number is 3 less than 2/3 of the other number what is the lesser number?

A. 5
B. 3
C. 7
D. 12

Answer 1

lesser # is 5

other # is 12

Explanation:

x = lesser #

x + y = 17

x = 2/3y - 3

let 'y' = 17-x

substitute 'y':

x = 2/3(17-x) - 3

x = 34/3 - 2x/3 - 9/3

add 2x/3 to each side to get:

5x/3 = 25/3

multiply each side by 3/5 to get:

x = 25/5 or 5

5 + y = 17

y = 12