Asked by Maryann

Please help me with this problem

The sum of two numbers is 47, the smaller number is 23 less than the larger number. What are the two numbers?
Answered by Reiny
smaller number --- x
larger number ----- x+23

x + x+23 = 47

easy to solve....
Answered by Maryann
The answer would be 12.
Answered by Maryann
Hi Reiny so would both numbers be 12?
Answered by Reiny
yes, that would be one of the answers, remember it asked for two answers.
You should verify your answers against the original conditions to eliminate any doubt
Answered by Maryann
Would 35 be the larger number? That's what I was trying to figure out
Answered by Reiny
Both our last two replies posted at the same time.

NO, both numbers are NOT 12
Look at your question, it said one is 23 less than the other, how can they be both 12 ?

This is why definitions of your variable are so important.
I defined by smaller as x, so it is 12
I defined by larger as x+23 = 12+23 = 35

So your two numbers are 12 and 35.

check:
Is one less than the other by 23 ? YES
Is their sum equal to 47 ?, YES

Do this with all your questions and you can be sure of yourself.
Answered by Maryann
Yes I figured it out and thank you!!!
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