Let x and y represent the smaller and larger numbers, respectively. y - x = 5 . . . . . the difference is 5 3y = 4x + 6 . . 3 times the larger is 4 times the smaller plus 6
Add x to the first equation to get an expression for y. y = x + 5 Use that in the second equation. 3(x + 5) = 4x + 6 3x + 15 = 4x + 6 . . . . . eliminate parentheses 9 = x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . add -3x-6 y = x+5 = 14
