Question

One number is one less than five times another. if their sum is decreased by three, the result is eight. find the numbers.

Answer 1

One number is one less than five times another ....
Let one number be x
The other number is 5x - 1

Their sum ...
x + 5x - 1 = 6x - 1

Their sum is decreased by 3
6x - 1 - 3 = 6x - 4

The result is eight
6x - 4 = 8
6x = 8 + 4
6x = 12
x = 2

x = 2
5x - 1 = 5(2) - 1 = 9
One number is 2 and the other is 9.