Mark B. answered • 11/19/17
Tutor
New to Wyzant
PhD Candidate in Psychology: Experienced Math, Statistics, Tutor
Hello Tatiana,
Okay, so you are given some information which assists you in solving this problem. Let's do it this way, okay?
Let x be the larger of the two integers
Let 34 - x be the smaller of the two integers
Therefore, with this information we can now begin solving the problem.
x = 2(34 - x) -5 Please notice: I have simply plugged the expression 34 - x to represent the smaller of the two integers and subtracted 5. Why? The problem TELLS me that the larger (x) is five less than twice the smaller.
Now, let's solve, shall we?
x = 68 -2x -5 Please notice, I simply used the distributive property for the portion 2(34 - x)
x = 63 - 2x
Remember two things here: First, whatever I do on one side of the equation, I must do on the other. Second, when you see a variable x you can assume a 1 is in front of it, correct? Therefore, I will add 2x to each side of my equation, cancelling out the -2x on the right and adding that to the left side bringing that side to 3x
Therefore:
3x = 63
x = 21 Now we know the value of the larger integer, right?
34 - x = the smaller integer, correct?
34 -21 = 13
Therefore, the following:
Larger integer is 21
Smaller integer is 13
* You will notice Tatiana, that the above two integers satisfies the problem. If you added 5 to the 21 you would have 26 and that number IS two times 13, correct? And, we know, of course, that 21 is 5 less than 26, correct?
I sincerely hope I have assisted you with this answer and that you will have a great rest of your weekend.
In fact, if you could be so kind as to respond to this answer to let me know you understand either by posting a follow-up here or by message, I would be most appreciative. ~Mark B.
Okay, so you are given some information which assists you in solving this problem. Let's do it this way, okay?
Let x be the larger of the two integers
Let 34 - x be the smaller of the two integers
Therefore, with this information we can now begin solving the problem.
x = 2(34 - x) -5 Please notice: I have simply plugged the expression 34 - x to represent the smaller of the two integers and subtracted 5. Why? The problem TELLS me that the larger (x) is five less than twice the smaller.
Now, let's solve, shall we?
x = 68 -2x -5 Please notice, I simply used the distributive property for the portion 2(34 - x)
x = 63 - 2x
Remember two things here: First, whatever I do on one side of the equation, I must do on the other. Second, when you see a variable x you can assume a 1 is in front of it, correct? Therefore, I will add 2x to each side of my equation, cancelling out the -2x on the right and adding that to the left side bringing that side to 3x
Therefore:
3x = 63
x = 21 Now we know the value of the larger integer, right?
34 - x = the smaller integer, correct?
34 -21 = 13
Therefore, the following:
Larger integer is 21
Smaller integer is 13
* You will notice Tatiana, that the above two integers satisfies the problem. If you added 5 to the 21 you would have 26 and that number IS two times 13, correct? And, we know, of course, that 21 is 5 less than 26, correct?
I sincerely hope I have assisted you with this answer and that you will have a great rest of your weekend.
In fact, if you could be so kind as to respond to this answer to let me know you understand either by posting a follow-up here or by message, I would be most appreciative. ~Mark B.
