Question

The sum of two numbers is 38. The greater number is 5 more than twice the lesser number. What is the greater of the two numbers?

Answer 1

Have the first number be x and the other number be y.

Write the first equation: The sum is 38:

x+y=38

Then the second equation: x is 5 more than than 2y:

x=2y+5

Take the first equation and make it y=38-x

Then substitute it in for the 2nd equation to find x:

x=2(38-x)+5

x=76-2x+5

3x=81

x=27

Then substitute that into the 1st equation to find y:

(27)+y=38

y=11

The first number (x) is greater than the second number (y) because 27 is greater than 11