Chapter 3: Problem 29
In the following exercises, solve each number word problem. The sum of two numbers is -45. One number is nine more than the other. Find the numbers.
Short Answer
Expert verified
The numbers are -27 and -18.
Step by step solution
01
Define the variables
Let the first number be denoted as let x be the first number. The second number is nine more than the first number, which can be written as x + 9.
02
Set up the equation
According to the problem, the sum of the two numbers is -45. Therefore, we can write the equation as follows: x + (x + 9) = -45.
03
Simplify and solve the equation
Combine like terms and solve for x: 2x + 9 = -45. Subtract 9 from both sides: 2x = -54. Divide both sides by 2: x = -27.
04
Find the second number
Since the second number is nine more than the first number: x + 9 = -27 + 9 = -18. Therefore, the second number is -18.
05
Verify the solution
Add the two numbers to ensure they sum to -45: -27 + (-18) = -45. The solution is correct.
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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 part of mathematics. It's the process of finding the value of an unknown variable that makes the equation true. Let's break down the steps involved:
- **Step 1:** Write down the equation provided in the word problem. Here, we have the sum of two numbers is -45, so we start with the equation \(x + (x + 9) = -45\).
- **Step 2:** Combine like terms. In our example, we combine the \(x\) terms, giving us \(2x + 9 = -45\).
- **Step 3:** Isolate the variable. Subtract 9 from both sides, leaving \(2x = -54\).
- **Step 4:** Solve for the variable by dividing both sides by 2, resulting in \(x = -27\).
Defining Variables
Defining variables is a crucial step in solving word problems. It's about translating the written problem into mathematical terms.
In our problem, we're dealing with two numbers. Let's define these numbers:
In our problem, we're dealing with two numbers. Let's define these numbers:
- **First Number:** Let's call the first number \(x\). This is our initial unknown variable.
- **Second Number:** According to the problem, the second number is nine more than the first number. So, we define the second number as \(x + 9\).
Simplifying Equations
Simplifying equations is about making them as straightforward as possible so that we can solve them easily.
Once we have our equation \(x + (x + 9) = -45\), the next step is to simplify:
Once we have our equation \(x + (x + 9) = -45\), the next step is to simplify:
- **Combine Like Terms:** Add the \(x\) terms together. Here, \(x + x = 2x\). So the equation becomes \(2x + 9 = -45\).
- **Isolate the Variable:** Subtract 9 from both sides. This helps to isolate the term with our variable on one side of the equation. So, \(2x = -54\).
- **Solve for the Variable:** Finally, divide both sides by the coefficient of the variable (which is 2 in this case). Thus, \(x = -27\).
Verification of Solutions
Verification of solutions ensures that our answer is correct. This step is often overlooked but is very important. Let's verify our solution:
- **First Number:** From our equation, we found \(x = -27\).
- **Second Number:** We calculate the second number as \(x + 9 = -27 + 9 = -18\).
- **Check the Sum:** Add the two numbers to verify the sum. \(-27 + (-18) = -45\). Since this matches the original condition of the problem, our solution is verified.