The sum of two numbers is 31. One number is 5 less than 3 times the other. Find the two numbers

Question

The sum of two numbers is 31. One number is 5 less than 3 times the other. Find the two numbers

Answer 1

Hi Meeka,

 

If we let one of the numbers be x, then we can express the other by using the information given in the problem.

The other number is 5 less than 3 times the other so the other number will be

3x-5

 

We are given that they add up to 31, so we can write

x+(3x-5) = 31

4x - 5 =31 

Can you figure out the rest?