Find two numbers such that the difference of one and three times the other is 48 and the product of the two numbers is as small as possible

Question

lsdxmdmaddicthc · Answer

Okay so we have two unknown numbers, x and y

lsdxmdmaddicthc · Answer

"difference of one and three times the other is 48"
x - 3y = 48

lsdxmdmaddicthc · Answer

Do you understand why I set it up like that?

anonymous · Answer

i think so

anonymous · Answer

x is one number, and 3 times the other, which is 3y, right?

lsdxmdmaddicthc · Answer

Yes, and the "difference between" means that we are subtracting

lsdxmdmaddicthc · Answer

So now you can experiment by plugging in pairs of numbers for x and y to see which ones fit the best.

lsdxmdmaddicthc · Answer

Remember that the product of the two numbers should be as small as possible, as stated in the question.

anonymous · Answer

is there anyway of making it easier? or is it just guess and check?

lsdxmdmaddicthc · Answer

I think it's just guess and check....

anonymous · Answer

okay thank you for the help

lsdxmdmaddicthc · Answer

You're welcome, do you think my response was the best? If so could you click "Best Response" next to one of my replies. ;)

anonymous · Answer

okay, I did it!