Question

There are two numbers which sum to 23. If one number is seven less than four times the other, find the numbers.

Answer 1

Answer: 7 and 16

Explanation:

Let x be the smaller of the two numbers. We are told that the larger number is five less than three times the smaller number x. Therefore, our two numbers are x and 3x−5. Given that the sum is 23, we find that

x+(3x−5)=23

Solving for x, we find that x=7. So the two numbers are 7,16.

Answer 2

Numbers are 6 and 17.

Explanation:

Let the two numbers are 'a' and 'b'.

"Sum of these numbers = 23"

a + b = 23 --------(1)

"One number is 7 less than 4 times the other"

a = 4b - 7 ---------(2)

Substitute the value of 'a' in equation (1) from equation (2)

(4b - 7) + b = 23

5b - 7 = 23

5b = 23 + 7

5b = 30

b = 6

From equation (2),

a = 4b - 7

a = 4×6 - 7

a = 24 - 7

a = 17

Therefore, the numbers are 6 and 17.