<span>The sum of two numbers is 48. a + b = 48 ; If one third of one number is 5 greater than one sixth of another number, a = b + 5 multiply both sides by 6, cancel the fractions 2a = b + 30 2a - b = 30 </span><span>use elimination to solve this a + b = 48 2a - b =30 -------------Addition eliminates b, find a 3a = 78 a = a = 26 then 26 + b = 48 b = 48 - 26