Petra L.

asked • 12/05/18

Algebra word problem making this mom crazy!

Son has to answer:


Two numbers add up to 405

One number is 70% larger than the other

What are the two numbers?


I am just struggling to set this up, which is unusual for me, because of the percentage. If one number is 70 more than the other, subtract 70 from the sum and go forward. Why is my brain hijacking me with the percentage? Help!

1 Expert Answer

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Paul M. answered • 12/06/18

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The equation you need is x + 1.7x = 405

27x = 4050

x= 150 and the other number is 255

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Petra L.

Thank you so much! My brain was just frozen - I kept thinking x + .7x and I knew that was wrong. Can you tell me in words why it is 1.7? My brain still needs to hear the why so I understand the logic.
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12/06/18

Petra L.

Thank you so much! Could I word it myself as "the larger number is 100% of x PLUS 70% of x, therefore 170% of the smaller number, therefore 1.7x is the larger number and x is the smaller number"? If I can, then my poor brain has got the concept, LOL.
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12/06/18

Paul M.

tutor
Right on! You got it.
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12/06/18

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