Question

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

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