Problema Solution

the difference of two numbers is 12. if twice the first is added to the three times the second the results is 34. find the numbers

Answer provided by our tutors

if the difference between two numbers 'x' and 'y' is 12, then if 'y' is the larger number:

y-x=12

y = x+12


let 'x' represent the smaller number, then 'x+12' represents the second number


34 = 2x + 3(x+12)

solving for 'x' we have x=-0.4


so we try again with the larger number being first and the smaller number being second:


34 = 2(x+12) + 3x

solving for 'x' we have x=2


x+12 = 14


the logical answer here is that the first number is 14 and the second number is 2