One number is 2 more than 3 times another. their sum is 22. find the numbers.

2 answers:

kramer3 years ago

8 0

This question is asking for the value of two numbers, which we can label as:

#1 = x
(Any value we do not know can be represented with a variable)
#2 = 3x + 2
("2 more" means + 2, and "3 times" means multiply by 3. The "another" is the variable we talked about before. Combining everything we have 3x + 2).

The last piece of information we are given is that the sum of the two numbers is 22. The word sum indicates that we need to add the two numbers, and when they added they will equal the integer 22.
(x) + (3x + 2) = 22
x + 3x + 2 = 22
Combine like terms
4x + 2 = 22
Subtract 2 from both sides
4x = 20
Divide 4 from both sides
x = 5

This sole value of "x" already gives us the value of the first number. Since our second number is "3x + 2", all we have to do is plug in the value of x into the expression.

3x + 2 = 3(5) + 2 = 15 + 2 = 17
The second number is 17.

Final Answer: The two numbers are 5 and 17.
(If you want to check, add the two numbers and make sure they add up to 22 and multiply 5 by 3 and add 2.)