what number is 17 greater than the 2nd number. When the lesser number is subtracted from twice the greater number, the difference is 157. Find the number

Answer 1

The two sentences can be written the following way:

y=17+x 

2y-x=157

The goal is to solve for y and the easiest way to do that is to plug the first equation into the second equation

2(17+x)-x=157

34+2x-x=157

34+x=157

x=123

Plug x back into the first equation and solve for y, then check by making sure the same numbers work in the 2nd equation

y=140

Answer 2

Let n₁ be the first number, n₂ be the second. The text translates to n₁ = n₂ +17, and 2n₁ - n₂ = 157. Use the first relation to find that n₂ = n₁ -17. Substitute this into the second relation: 2n₁ - (n₁ -17) = 157. Then n₁ + 17 =157 and n₁ = 140.