Twice a number less another numbers three, and the sum of the two numbers is 24. Find both numbers

Answer 1

Let X be the first number and Y be the second number. Translate your two situations into math equations, and you have:

2X - Y = 3

X + Y = 24

Taking the second equation, solve it for Y in terms of X. You can subtract X from both sides to solve for Y, which gives you:

Y = 24 - X

Substitute this (24 - X) for Y in the first equation, giving:

2X - (24 - X) = 3

Solve

2X - 24 + X= 3

3X - 24 = 3

3X = 27

X = 9

Use the solution to find Y, using one of the two initial equations:

X + Y = 24

9 + Y = 24

Y = 15

Check your answer with the other equation:

2X - Y = 3

2(9) - 15 ?= 3

18 - 15 =? 3

3 = 3 Correct