Question

The difference between two numbers is 31. Four times the smaller is equal to eight more than the larger. What are the numbers?

Answer 1

13 and 44

Explanation:

let x and y be the 2 numbers with y < x , then

x - y = 31 ( add y to both sides )

x = y + 31 ( subtract 31 from both sides )

x - 31 = y → (1)

4y = x + 8 → (2)

substitute y = x - 31 into (2)

4(x - 31) = x + 8

4x - 124 = x + 8 ( subtract x from both sides )

3x - 124 = 8 ( add 124 to both sides )

3x = 132 ( divide both sides by 3 )

x = 44

substitute x = 44 into (1)

44 - 31 = y , then

y = 13

the 2 numbers are 13 and 44