IDNLearn.com: Your destination for reliable and timely answers to any question. Discover trustworthy solutions to your questions quickly and accurately with help from our dedicated community of experts.

The sum of two numbers is 5, and the difference between the first number and twice the second number is 29.

Sagot :

Converting Words into Equations

We can convert word problems into equations by translating key terms into operations:

  • sum = we add
  • difference = we subtract
  • twice = multiply by 2
  • is = equals

Solving the Question

We're given:

  • sum of two numbers is 5
  • difference between the first number and twice the second number is 29

Let the first number be a and the second number be b.

Translate the words into numbers:

  • sum of two numbers is 5
    [tex]a+b=5[/tex]
  • difference between the first number and twice the second number is 29
    [tex]a-2b=29[/tex]

Subtract the second equation from the first to isolate b:

[tex](a+b)-(a-2b)\\=a+b-a+2b\\=b+2b\\=3b[/tex]

[tex]5-29\\=-24[/tex]

[tex]3b=-24\\b=-8[/tex]

Therefore b is -8.

Substitute b back into the first equation to find a:

[tex]a+b=5\\a-8=5\\a=13[/tex]

Therefore, a is 13.

Answer

a = 13

b = -8