Question

I need help I don’t understand I tried a billion times

Answer 1

One number is 4 less than 3 times another. Their sum is 16. Find the smaller.

• x (one number) = 3y - 4
• y (another number)

y + (3y - 4) = 16

• Combine like terms.

4y - 4 = 16

• Add 4 to both sides.

4y = 20

• Divide both sides by 4.

y = 5

• Plug 5 for y into the equation for x.

x = 3(5) - 4 = 11

• The smaller number is y = 5.

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Two consecutive odd numbers total 32. Find the smaller.

Consecutive odd numbers are always 2 numbers apart.

• odd number #1 = x
• odd number #2 = x + 2

(x) + (x + 2) = 32

• Combine like terms.

2x + 2 = 32

• Subtract 2 from both sides.

2x = 30

• Divide both sides by 2.

x = 15

• The smaller number will be 15, since the other number is (15) + 2 = 17.

Answer 2

Consecutive means they are right next to each other.

For example 6 and 7. 6+7 = 13

Or 8 and 9. 8+9=17

Hope that helps