Translate to a system of equations. Do not solve
Two angels are supplementary. One angle is 3 degrees less than twice the other. Find the measures of the angles. Let x equal the first angle and y equal the second.
x+y=
x=

Question

Translate to a system of equations. Do not solve
Two angels are supplementary. One angle is 3 degrees less than twice the other. Find the measures of the angles. Let x equal the first angle and y equal the second.
x+y=
x=

anonymous · Answer

x + y = 180      and       x = 2y - 3

anonymous · Answer

Supplementary means 180 degrees..

anonymous · Answer

When you add the x and the y, you will get 180 because of the definition of supplementary angles.

anonymous · Answer

Now, you can solve by either substitution or elimination.

anonymous · Answer

Suppose x any y are the angles..

They are supplementary means, they add up to give 180 degrees..

$$x + y = 180^{\circ}$$

anonymous · Answer

I understand the whole 180 degrees what im not understanding is what x is

anonymous · Answer

And now, since you have for the second equation, an expression for x, I would suggest simply taking that second equation right-hand side and putting that into the first equation by substitution.

"x" is 3 less than twice the other.

Twice the other is 2y

3 less than that is 

2y - 3

anonymous · Answer

So, 

x = 2y - 3

anonymous · Answer

Using x = 2y - 3 in the first equation x + y = 180   ->

(2y - 3) + y = 180

You said do not solve, so that is the substitution, which can be solved for y because it is now one equation in one variable.

anonymous · Answer

And once you solve for "y", if you later do have to solve it, you take that "y" and put it back into the original equation #1 to get your "x".

anonymous · Answer

okay so what if the angle changed to say 5 degrees and four times less than four times the other

anonymous · Answer

I'm not sure I understand your last question the way it is written.

anonymous · Answer

sorry say if the degree of the angle changed to 5 degrees instead of 3 and its 5 degrees less than four times the other. does that make sense

anonymous · Answer

x has to be an equation.

anonymous · Answer

Then you would have a system of equations where the first equation is the same, but the second one changes:

x + y = 180       and         x = 4y - 5

The principle and problem resolution stays the same.

anonymous · Answer

The general form for the second equation here is:

x = ny - m

where we have "n" times the other angle and "m" less than that.

anonymous · Answer

Is that making sense to you now?

anonymous · Answer

yes thank you

anonymous · Answer

You're welcome.