Question

The sum of two numbers is 56. One number is 3 times larger than the other. What are the two numbers?

Answer 1

I don't know the formula you're suppose to use for this.

Answer 2

This is a simultaneous equation problem.

x + y = 56
3x = y

Rewrite 3x = y as 3x - y = 0

x + y = 56
3x - y = 0

add the equations together

4x = 56
so
x = 14

plugging this back into the second equation gives
3(14) = y
so
y=42

Check:
14 + 42 = 56
3(14) = 42

Answer 3

Thank you!