The difference of two numbers is -1.If twice the first number is added to three times the second number,the result is 13.What are the numbers?

Question

Please help :)

Answer 1

Hello Broc,

Let x and y be the two numbers.

Then from the first sentence, we have:

x - y = -1  {Equation 1}.

 

Multiplying through by 3 yields:

3x - 3y = -3 {Equation 2}

(I did this so I could use 'elimination method' after I set up the 2nd equation.)

 

From the second sentence:

3y + 2x = 13 {Equation 3}

 

By adding {Equation 2} and {Equation 3} together, we get:

5x = 10

→ x = 2

 

Plug this back in to {Equation 1}:

2 - y = -1

→ y = 3

 

So, the two numbers are 2 and 3.

 

Hope the above helps, and thank you for posting the question.

Michael E.