Question

Translate to a system of equations:

The sum of two numbers is fifteen. One number is three less than the other. Determine the system of equations.

Call the first number m and the second number n.

Provide your answer below:

m+n=

t

Top

man -

Next

« Previous

Bi

99+

DELL

Answer 1

m + n = 15

m - 3 = n

The numbers are 9 and 6

Explanation:

From the question,

The sum of two numbers is fifteen; the first number is m and the second number is n. To translate to a system of equations, we can write that

m + n = 15 ..... (1)

Also, from the question,

One number is three less than the other,

Also, to translate to a system of equations, we can write that

m - 3 = n ...... (2)

If desired, we can determine m and n

From equation (1)

m + n = 15

Then,

m = 15 - n ...... (3)

Put the value of m in equation (3) into equation (2)

m - 3 = n

Then

15 - n - 3 = n

15 - 3 = n + n

12 = 2n

n = 12/2

∴ n = 6

For m, put the value of n into equation 3

m = 15 - n

m = 15 - 6

m = 9

∴ m = 9 and n = 6

Hence, the numbers are 9 and 6