Question

One number is 4 less than 3 times another If the sum of the numbers is 36, what are the two numbers?

Answer 1

Let's start by assigning variables for each of the numbers. Let the first one be x, the second one be y.

x + y = 36

x = 3y - 4

Now we solve using substitution.

3y - 4 + y = 36

This simplifies into:

4y = 32

y = 8.

Now we need to solve for x.

36 - 8 = 28 (because x + y = 36)

x = 28