Question

The sum of two numbers is 4 less than twice the larger. If the larger is decreased by three times the smaller, the result is -20. Find the numbers

Answer 1

16,12 ?

Answer 2

Here i are the equations:
x is the larger and y is the smaller.

x + y = 2x-4
x -3y = -20.

solve the above syatem of equations to obtain the values of x and y

Answer 3

Rearange the equations as follows:

-x + y = -4 ( after subtracting 2x from both sides)
x -3y = -20

add both equations to eliminate x
i.e.
-2y = -24
y =12

Plug in the value of y in any one of th above equations to yield
-x +12 = -4
=>-x = -16
=> x = 16


Therefore
larger number = 16
Smaller number =12

Answer 4

You can verify the results by walking through the quation using the above numbers.
does this solve your problem?