What are the numbers?

Question

The sum of two numbers is 56. The second number is 4 less than 3 times the first number.

Answer 1

x + y = 56 --> x = 56 - y
y = 3x - 4 = 3 * (56 - y) - 4 = 168 - 3y - 4 = 164 - 3y
--> y + 3y = 164
4y = 164
y = 41

x = 56 - y = 56 - 41 = 15

 

 

x = 15, y = 41

Answer 2

x + y = 56  -->  x = 56 - y

y = 3x - 4 = 3 * (56 - y) - 4 = 168 - 3y - 4 = 164 - 3y

--> y + 3y = 164

4y = 164

y = 41

 

x = 56 - y = 56 - 41 = 15

 

Therefore, the first number is 15 and the second number is 41