The sum of two numbers is 56. the larger number is 7 less than 3 times the smaller number. Find the smaller number.

Answer 1

smaller number ---- x
larger number ---- 56-x

56-x = 3x - 7

solve for x

you should get
smaller = 15.75
larger = 40.25

check:
three times the larger - 7 = 3(15.75) - 7 = 40.25
which was the larger.