The larger of two numbers is 5 less than twice the smaller number. The sum of the two numbers is 28. How do you find the two numbers?

1 Answer
Nov 8, 2016

The numbers are 11and17

Explanation:

This question can be answered by using either 1 or 2 variables.
I will opt for 1 variable, because the second can be written in terms of the first. Define the numbers and variable first:

Let the smaller number be x.

The larger is "5 less than double x"

The larger number is 2x5

The sum of the numbers is 28. Add them to get 28

x+2x5=28 now solve the equation for x

3x=28+5

3x=33

x=11

The smaller number is 11.
The larger is 2×115=17

11+17=28