Question

There are two numbers which sum to 16. If one number is eight less than three times the other, find the numbers.

Answer 1

Answer:

The two numbers are 10 and 6.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the two numbers be a and b respectively.

Translating the word problem into an algebraic equation, we have;

a + b = 16 .........equation 1

a = 3b - 8 .......equation 2

Substituting eqn 1 into eqn 2, we have

3b - 8 + b = 16

4b = 16 + 8

4b = 24

b = 24/4

b = 6

To find the value of a;

a = 3b - 8

a = 3(6) - 8

a = 18 - 8

a = 10

Therefore, the two numbers are 10 and 6.