Question

The difference of two numbers is 33. The sum of the first number and four times the second number is -2. What is the larger of the two numbers?

Answer 1

Answer:

The larger of the two is 44.67

Step-by-step explanation:

let the first number=x

let the second number=y

We can derive a system of equations using the mathematical statements

Their sum is 33:

x+y=33( call this equation 1)

Sum of first number and four times the second is -2:

x+4y=-2(call this equation 2)

Since the integer coefficients of x in both equations are the same we can quickly subtract one from the other to eliminate it

For this explanation, I choose to subtract equation 1 from 2

(x+4y=-2)-(x+y=33)=3y=-35

y=-35/3

Now plug in the value of y into any equation for that of x. Say we plug into equation 1

x+(-35/3)=33

x-35/3=33( multiply through by 3)

3x-35=99

3x=99+35

3x=134

x=134/3

Therefore,x=134/3 or 44.67 and y=-35/3 or -11.67