Question

Juan is thinking of two numbers. He says that 3 times the first number minus the second number is 118. In addition, two times the first number plus the second number is 147. Find the numbers.

Answer 1

We will call the first number n, and the second number x.

3n-x=118

2n+x=147

Now, solve one of the equations for x.

x=147-2n

Then, substitute this into the other formula for x.

3n-(147-2n)=118

Next, solve for n:

3n-147+2n=118
5n=265
n=53
^^^That's your first number.

Lastly, plug in 53 for n into either equation to solve for x.

2(53)+x=147
106+x=147
x=41
^^^This is your second number.