the sum of two numbers is 61. The larger number is 4 more than two times the smaller number. What is the smaller number?

Question

HELP! ITS AN EMERGENCY!

Answer 1

Set up an equation. We don't know the numbers so call them x and y. "Sum" means that they add together to be 61.

 

x + y = 61

 

Let's say that the larger number is y. y is "4 more than 2 times" x in this case.

 

y = 2x + 4

 

Substitute this into the y-term, in the first equation.

 

x + y = 61

x + (2x + 4) = 61

3x + 4 = 61

3x = 57

x = 19

 

We made x the smaller number and y the larger one. x = 19, so that's what the smaller number is.