Question

The sum of two numbers is 28. Thrice the smaller is 20 more than the larger. Find two numbers.

Answer 1

Given:

• Sum of two numbers is 28.
• Thrice the smaller number is 20 more than the larger number.

Step-wise calculation:

1. Let the smaller number be (x) and the larger number be (y).

2. From the problem, we have two equations:

x + y = 28   ...(Sum of two numbers) 

3x = y + 20   ...(Thrice smaller is 20 more than larger)

3. From the second equation:

y = 3x – 20

4. Substitute (y) from step 3 into the first equation:

x + (3x – 20) = 28 

4x – 20 = 28 

4x = 48 

x = 12

5. Substitute (x = 12) into (y = 3x – 20): 

y = 3 × 12 – 20

y = 36 – 20 

y = 16

The two numbers are 12 smaller and 16 larger.