Question

There are two numbers whose sum is 71. One number is twice the other. What are the numbers?

Answer 1

Hello! I would love to help!

Let's think...

What number times 2 plus that number is equal to 71.

Let's set up an equation!

What number times 2 (2x) + that number (x) is equal to 71?

Let's write the formal equation now!

2x + x = 71

Let's solve!

Start by combining like terms!

2x +x is 3x

Okay, now we have 3x=71

Let's solve by dividing each side by 3.

Now we have 23.667 or 23 2/3=x

So, the first number is 23 2/3

Let's multiply that by 2 to get the other number!

23 2/3*2= 47 1/3

So, the two answers are 47 1/3 and 23 2/3.

To check, you can add them together, and see if it comes out as 71.

47 1/3 + 23 2/3 = 71

Those are the right answers!


Hope this helps! Comment if you have questions! :)