Can you help me on the right road to solve?

Question

the greater of 2 numbers is twice the lesser. If the greater # is increased by 18, the result is 4 less than 4 x's the lesser #. is the equation x + 18 = 4 - 4y?

Answer 1

Let the lesser number be x. The greater number is 2x.

If the greater number is increased by 18, you get 2x + 18.

4 less than 4 times the lesser number is 4x - 4.

So this means that 2x + 18 = 4x - 4.

You did make a good try at it though :D

Keep on trying and you'll do fine.

EDIT:

The Russian is also right (Da, Tovarisch!)

But if you recall, the problem also says that the greater number is twice the lesser.

If you're calling the lesser number y, then your x = 2y.

The advantage of this is that with the equation having only one variable, you can solve for one of the numbers easily, and then get the second.

What you really have is a system of equations:

x = 2y
x + 18 = 4y - 4.

Notice that you can directly substitute 2y for x.

Answer 2

You can write all your equations, but:

The greater number is 2 times the lesser number.

When you add 18 to it, it is 4 less than 4 times the lesser number. So, add 22 instead. it will become 4 times the lesser number.

That means 22 is 2 times the lesser number - the lesser number is 11 and the greater number is, of course, 22!

Answer 3

You have to get rid of one of the variables. So lets get rid of the largest variable. Substitute 2x for y.

x < y; 2x = y;
4x-4 = y+18;
4x-4 = 2x+18
4x-2x = 18+4
2x = 22 = y
x=11
y=22

Proof it!
4x-4 = y+18
44-4 = 22+18
40 = 40

It has been proven!

Answer 4

first part rite
2nd part switch
itd be 4y -4