/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 27 In the following exercises, solv... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

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In the following exercises, solve each number word problem. The sum of two numbers is 20 . One number is four less than the other. Find the numbers.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The numbers are 8 and 12.

Step by step solution

01

Define the Variables

Let the two numbers be x and y. We need to form equations based on the problem statement.
02

Set Up the Equations

From the problem, we know that the sum of the two numbers is 20. Thus, we can write the equation: x + y = 20
03

Express One Variable in Terms of the Other

We also know that one number is four less than the other. Assuming that x is the number that is four less, we can write: x = y - 4
04

Substitute and Solve

Substitute the expression for x from the second equation into the first equation: (y - 4) + y = 20 Simplify and solve for y: 2y - 4 = 20 2y = 24 y = 12
05

Find the Other Number

Substitute the value of y back into the equation x = y - 4 to find x: x = 12 - 4 x = 8
06

Verify the Solution

Check the solution by verifying that the sum of the two numbers is 20 and that one number is four less than the other. 8 + 12 = 20 8 is indeed four less than 12.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

solving equations
Solving equations is a fundamental aspect of algebra. When faced with an equation, the goal is to find the unknown values, known as variables, that make the equation true. In word problems, you often have to first translate the described relationships into algebraic equations.
In the given problem, we had to set up two equations based on the information provided:
  • the sum of the two numbers is 20
  • one number is four less than the other
Once we have the equations, we use algebraic methods such as substitution or elimination to solve for the variables.
number problems
Number problems in algebra often involve finding numbers that satisfy given conditions. These problems require setting up algebraic expressions based on the relationships described in the problem.
For the given problem, we were given two relationships: the sum of the two numbers being 20, and one number being four less than the other. These conditions translate into two equations.
Number problems frequently appear in algebra courses because they provide practical applications of the concepts of variables and equations.
substitution method
The substitution method is a technique for solving systems of equations. In this method, we solve one equation for one variable and then substitute that expression into another equation.
For example, in our problem, we expressed one variable in terms of the other:
  • x = y - 4
We then substituted this expression into the equation x + y = 20:
  • (y - 4) + y = 20
This allowed us to solve for y. Substitution is helpful because it reduces the number of variables, making the equations easier to solve.
variable definition
Defining variables is the first step in solving word problems algebraically. By assigning letters to represent unknown quantities, we create a framework to write equations.
In this problem, we defined the variables as:
  • x for one number
  • y for the other number
This step is crucial because it translates the written problem into a mathematical form.
Clear variable definitions help in setting up correct equations and avoiding confusion. It is essential to consistently follow the definitions throughout the problem-solving process.

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