Question

I don't get this one.
The difference between two numbers is 29. The sum of five times the smaller and two times the larger is 156. Find the two numbers.

Answer 1

a. 14 and 15
b. -14 and 15
c. -15 and 14
d. 14 and 43

Answer 2

I don't' get this. :( It doesn't make sense to me all at.

Answer 3

let a = larger and b = smaller
a-b=29;
2a+5b=156
if you know how to use substitution, you should be able to go from there if not, let me know and i'll explain the rest

Answer 4

okay, give me a second.

Answer 5

i don't get it. :(

Answer 6

okay, well first, do you understand what I did there?

Answer 7

not really. Sorry

Answer 8

the difference between larger and smaller is 29 means larger - smaller =29

Answer 9

now for larger just make it a; so a=larger, b=smaller, from now on we use a and b

Answer 10

so a (larger) - b (smaller) =29

Answer 11

okay. I get that part.

Answer 12

the sum means adding so: 5b+2a=156

Answer 13

i.e. 5(smaller)+2(larger)=156

Answer 14

okay. Got it.

Answer 15

so again your two equations are
a-b=29
5b+2a=156
so, move b to the right side in equation 1 getting:
a=29+b
then plug the value (29+b) for a in to the second equation.
you should then be able to solve for b, once you get b plug the value for b into either equation to get a.
a and b will be your two numbers

Answer 16

oh okay. i think i can take it from here. Thanks so much!!

Answer 17

no problem , just following those steps exactly should take you straight to the answer:) as long as they make sense to you

Answer 18

it does. i found it! :D