Question

One number added to three times another number is 45. Six times the first number added to two times the other number is 62. Find the SMALLER of the two numbers.

Answer 1

Answer: the smaller number is - 7

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x represent the smaller number

Let y represent the larger number.

One number added to three times another number is 45. This is expressed as

x + y = 45

Six times the first number added to two times the other number is 62. This means that

6x + 2y = 62 - - - - - - - - - - - -1

Substituting x = 45 - y into equation 1, it becomes

6(45 - y) + 2y = 62

270 - 6y + 2y = 62

- 6y + 2y = 62 - 270

- 4y = - 208

y = - 208/-4

y = 52

x = 45 - y = 45 - 52

x = - 7