Question

One number is five more than another, and their sum is three less than three times the smaller. Find the numbers.

If x represents the smaller number, which equation could be used to solve for x?

x 2 + 5 = 3x - 3
2x + 5 = 3x - 3
2x + 5 = 3(x - 3)

Answer 1

Let x = smaller number
Let x + 5 = bigger number
smaller number PLUS bigger number = 3 times smaller number minus three.
Here's what the statement looks like as an equation:
x + x + 5 = 3x - 3
Now, solve for x.


2x + 5 = 3x - 3
2x - 3x = -3 -5
-x = - 8
x = 8...smaller number
x + 5 becomes 8 + 5 = 13...bigger number
The smaller number is 8 and and bigger number is 13.