Question

The sum of two numbers is 53. The larger number is 1 less than 2 times the smaller. What are the two numbers?

20 and 33


19 and 34


18 and 35


17 and 36

Answer 1

18 and 35 the answer

x+(2x-1)=53
3x=54
x=18(small one)

2(18)-1=35(the large one)

Answer 2

18 and 35

Explanation:

Let the two numbers be x and y, where x is the larger number and y is the smaller one.

We are given that the sum of these two number is 53, which can be written as:

`x+y= 53` --- (i)

Now, the larger number x is 1 less than 2 times the smaller number y. So we can write it as:

`x=2y-1` --- (ii)

Substituting the value of x in (i) to get:

`(2y-1)+y=53`

`3y=54`

`y=18`

Put this value of y in (i) to find x:

`x+y= 53`

`x=53-18`

`x= 35`

Therefore, the two numbers are 18 and 35.