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

equation:

let x be the smaller number
y be the larger number

(1) x+y = 2y-4
y-3x=-20

Answer 2

Let the two numbers be x and y. x+y=2x-4(say,x is the larger number). Now by the question, x-3y=-20. Now solve for x and y,

-x+y=-4, and x-3y=-20.

Answer 3

Let x be the lager number.
let y be the smaller number

then the equations are
x + y = 2x -4
x - 3y = -20
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