The sum of two numbers is 17. If the larger number is two more than twice the smaller find the larger number

Question

College 

Answer 1

Wildon, you probably know how to do this problem, once it’s translated from words into math.

First thing to do is to name each quantity involved.

Let S be the smaller number

Let L be the larger number

Now Translate: “sum of two numbers“ means “add the two numbers together”, and that means

S + L

 

”is 17” means 

=17

 

put them together and you have your first equation:

S + L = 17

 

Now to translate the next sentence “...the larger number is two more than twice the smaller...”

 

You have names for “the smaller number” and “the larger number, so use them:

”L is two more than twice S...”

 

Translate “twice S” as “2 S”:

”L is two more than 2S...”

 

Translate “is two more than 2S” to “=2+2S”:

”L = 2+2S”

 

So now you have two equations, are you comfortable solving them?

 

S+L=17

L=2+2S