The first of the two positive numbers is 2 less than 2 times the second number...?

Question

The first of the two positive numbers is 2 less than 2 times the second number, and the sum of their squares is 4264. Find the smaller number.

Answer 1

Always start by making variables. The problem talks about "two positive numbers," so:

Let "s" be the smaller number;
Let "b" be the bigger number.

Now translate English into math:

"The first of the two positive numbers ..."

s

"..is.."

s =

"...2 less than..."

s = (something) - 2

(Side note here: When you hear the words "less than," you have to swap the order of the two things and then put a minus sign between them. Example: "5 less than W" is written as "W − 5". That's why I wrote "2 less than" as "(something) − 2".)

"...2 times the second number."

Now we know what goes in the "(something)":

s = (2×b) - 2

", and..."

This signals the beginning of another equation.

"...the sum of their squares..."

s² + b²

"...is..."

s² + b² =

"...4264..."

s² + b² = 4264

So to recap, you now have these equations:

s = 2b − 2
s² + b² = 4264

Now just solve simultaneous equations to find "s".

Answer 2

easy, set up 2 equations and 2 unkowns, from what you tell me...

2x=y-2 ..... 2 less than 2 times the second number
x^2+y^2=4264 ..... sum of their squares is 4264

x would be the smaller number
y would be the larger number

Answer 3

30

Answer 4

Did you make this up? If so I would like to know the answer this stumped me!

Answer 5

A LITTLE MORE INFO ....... im confrizzled

Answer 6

im not good at math...:(

you should really try and do your own homework