Question

The difference between two positive numbers is 26 and one number is three times the other. Find the numbers.

Answer 1

13 and 39

Explanation:

Represent the numbers by a and b.

Then a - b = the difference between a and b = 26, and

a = 3b.

Now a - b = 26 and a = 3b. Subbing 3b for a in a - b = 26, we get

3b - b = 26, or 2b = 26. Thus, b = 13. Therefore, a = 3(13) = 39.

The smaller number is 13 and the larger is 39.

Answer 2

39 and 13

Explanation:

x=3y

y=x-26

substitute: y=3y-26

26+y=3y

26=2y

y=13

substitute: x=3(13)

x=39