The sum of two numbers is 15. Three times the smaller number is equal to five less than two times the larger number. Find the numbers
x = small number
15 - x = larger number {their sum is 15}
3x = 2(15 - x) - 5 {three times smaller is 5 less than two times larger}
3x = 30 - 2x - 5 {used distributive property}
3x = -2x + 25 {combined like terms}
5x = 25 {added 2x to both sides}
x = 5 {divided both sides by 5}
15 - x = 10 {substituted 5, in for x, into 15 - x}
5 and 10 are the two numbers
© Algebra House
