the ration of two numbers is 1 to 3, and the sum of the numbers is 28. What is the smaller number?

Question

the ration of two numbers is 1 to 3, and the sum of the numbers is 28.  What  is the smaller number?

radar · Answer

This is a problem where you just write down what is given and solve.
It is given that a ratio of 1 to 3 or y/x =3 or y = 3x
Now the sum of the two numbers is given x + y = 28.  Now just substitute the 3x for the y getting:  x + 3x = 28 or 4x = 28.  Now solve for x then solve for y.

anonymous · Answer

So x is 7 then whats Y? thank you by the way.

radar · Answer

Good, just continue to solve, you were told that x + y = 28.  You have successfully solve for x giving it a value of 7.  Now substitute 7 for x in the x + y = 28 and solve for y.

radar · Answer

Algebra is power.  Good luck with it.