Question

The sum of two numbers that differ by 3 is x, what is the value of the greater of the two numbers?

Answer 1

Answer:

Step-by-step explanation:

You really don't have enough information to solve this with one answer. You want a value for y and there is no what to limit it to just 1 set of values. For example if x = 23 then

x = y + y - 3

x = 2y - 3

23 = 2y - 3           Add three to both sides

23+3 =  2y           Combine

26 = 2y                Divide by 2

26/2 = 2y/2          Do the division

13 = y

The smaller number is 13 - 3 = 10

Their sum is 13 + 10=23           But that answer is not unique.

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Suppose x = 13

13 = 2y - 3              Add 3

13 + 3 = 2y

16 = 2y

y =8

The larger number = 8

The smaller number = 5

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The best I can do is give you the equation which is

x = 2y - 3