X+y=70 x=2y-5 x=larger number y=smaller number now plug in the value of x to only have one variable in the equation... Way to solve for y: (2y-5)+y=70 3y-5=70 add 5 on both sides... 3y=75 divide by 3 on both sides y=25 1st way to solve for x: now plug in y in the original equation... x+25=70 subtract 25 on both sides... x=45 2nd way to solve for x: plug in y for the second equation... x=25(2)-5 x=50-5 x=45 answer: the two numbers are 45 and 25.
