Question

One number is four times another number and their difference is 24 find the numbers

Answer 1

Well if you think about it, you are given 2 equations. lets say the 2 numbers ar x and y

it says one number that we willl call y is 4 times another number we will call x. so:
y = 4 * x

the other part says their difference is 24. well y has to be the larger number sincenit is 4 times x. so:
y - x = 24

in the first part i said y = 4x so i know what y equals. i can plug this into thenother equation like this
y - x = 24
(4x) - x = 24
3x = 24
x = 8

i have x. i can plug this in first equation to find y
y = 4x
y = 4 (8)
y = 32

we can checj by plugging in x and y to both equations. if it matches we are.good

y = 4x
32 = 4 (8)
32 = 32

y - x = 24
(32) - (8) = 24
24 = 24

it all works out