The sum of 2 consecutive numbers is 3 less than 3 times the first number. What are the numbers?

Discussion in 'Calculator Requests' started by math_celebrity, Aug 27, 2019.

  1. math_celebrity

    math_celebrity Administrator Staff Member

    The sum of 2 consecutive numbers is 3 less than 3 times the first number. What are the numbers?

    Let the first number be x. And the second number be y. We're given:
    1. y = x + 1
    2. x + y = 3x - 3 (less 3 means subtract 3)
    Substitute (1) into (2):
    x + x + 1 = 3x - 3

    Combine like terms:
    2x + 1 = 3x - 3

    Type this equation into the search engine, we get:
    x = 4

    Substituting x = 4 into equation 1:
    y = 4 + 1
    y = 5

    So (x, y) = (4, 5)
     

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