Question

The sum of two positive numbers is 34. When the smaller number is subtracted from twice the larger, the result is 26. Find the two numbers,

Answer 1

smaller --- x
larger ---- 34-x

2(34-x) - x = 26

easy to solve for x

Answer 2

System of Equations
Let x: smaller y: larger
x + y = 34
2y - x = 26

Using elimination to solve the system yields 3y = 60. Thus y = 20, so x =14