Twice a first number decreased by a second number is 16. The first number increased by 3 times the second number is 1. Find the numbers.
Let the first number be x and the second number be y. We're given:
No matter what method we use, we get the same answers:
x = 7
y = -2
(x, y) = (7, -2)
Let's check our work in equation 1:
2(7) - -2 ? 16
14 + 2 ? 16
16 = 16 <-- Check
Let's check our work in equation 2:
7 + 3(-2) ? 1
7 - 6 ? 1
1 = 1 <-- Check
Let the first number be x and the second number be y. We're given:
- 2x - y = 16
- x + 3y = 1
No matter what method we use, we get the same answers:
x = 7
y = -2
(x, y) = (7, -2)
Let's check our work in equation 1:
2(7) - -2 ? 16
14 + 2 ? 16
16 = 16 <-- Check
Let's check our work in equation 2:
7 + 3(-2) ? 1
7 - 6 ? 1
1 = 1 <-- Check