The larger of two numbers is 5 less than twice the smaller number. The sum of the two numbers is 28. How do you find the two numbers?

1 Answer
EZ as pi
Nov 8, 2016

The numbers are #11 and 17#

Explanation:

This question can be answered by using either 1 or 2 variables.
I will opt for 1 variable, because the second can be written in terms of the first. Define the numbers and variable first:

Let the smaller number be #x#.

The larger is "5 less than double #x#"

The larger number is #2x-5#

The sum of the numbers is 28. Add them to get #28#

#x + 2x-5 = 28" "larr# now solve the equation for #x#

#3x = 28+5#

#3x = 33#

#x = 11#

The smaller number is #11#.
The larger is #2xx11-5 = 17#

#11+17 = 28#

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