Question

The sum of two numbers is 148. The larger number is two less than three times the smaller. What are the two numbers?

20 and 128


37.5 and 110.5


50 and 98


51.5 and 97.5

Answer 1

the larger number equals 110.5

the smaller number equals 37.5

Answer 2

let
x---------> the larger number
y---------> the smaller number

we know that
x+y=148------> equation 1
x=3y-2------> equation 2

substitute 2 in 1
[3y-2]+y=148--------> 4y=150---------> y=150/4------> y=37.5
x=3y-2----> x=3*37.5-2-----> x=110.5

the answer is
the larger number is 110.5
the smaller number is 37.5