how to set up

Question

the larger of two numbers is 11 more than twice the smaller. the sum of the number is 1 less than seven times the smaller

Answer 1

Hi M,

 

To start off, we have to determine how many equations we need to solve this problem.  Seeing that the problem involves a "larger number" and a "smaller number" and that we are given 2 different constraints we can be assured that we will need 2 variables and 2 equations!

 

1) We start off with a let statement (a statement where we can declare what each variable represents):

let s= the smaller number

let l = the larger number

 

(I'm sure you can see why I picked s and l).

 

2) now we can write the equations

 

l=2s+11

s+l=7s-1

 

And that's it!!  If you would like more help in solving it, feel free to reply to this post or even reach out to me personally.  Good luck!

 

 

Answer 2

x=2y+11

x+y=7y-1