The sum of two numbers is 31. The first number is 5 less than the second. Find the numbers.
what?
x + x - 5 = 31
2x = 36
x = ________ (larger number)
x + (x-5) = 31
2 x - 5 = 31
2 x = 36
x = 18
x-5 =
To solve this problem, we are given two pieces of information. First, we know that the sum of the two numbers is 31. Second, we know that the first number is 5 less than the second number.
Let's represent the first number as "x" and the second number as "y".
From the given information, we can write two equations:
Equation 1: x + y = 31 (since the sum of the two numbers is 31)
Equation 2: x = y - 5 (since the first number is 5 less than the second)
To find the solution, we can use substitution or elimination method.
Using the substitution method:
We can substitute the value of x from Equation 2 into Equation 1:
(y - 5) + y = 31
2y - 5 = 31
2y = 31 + 5
2y = 36
y = 18
Now, we can substitute the value of y back into Equation 1:
x + 18 = 31
x = 31 - 18
x = 13
Therefore, the first number is 13 and the second number is 18.