The sum of two numbers is 43. One number is five less than three times the other number. What is the largest number?

31

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the numbers be x and y.

"The sum of two numbers is 43." gives us the first equation.

x + y = 43

"One number is five less than three times the other number." gives us the second equation.

y = 3x - 5

Now we solve the system of two equations below.

x + y = 43

y = 3x - 5

Since the second equation is already solved for y, we will use the substitution method. We substitute 3x - 5 for y in the first equation.

x + y = 43

x + 3x - 5 = 43

4x - 5 = 43

4x = 48

x = 12

The first number is 12. Now we find the second number.

x + y = 43

12 + y = 43

y = 31

The larger number is 31.

set each factor equal to 0

4x-3 = 0

2x-1 = 0

solve for x.

4x-3=0

4x=3

x= 3/4

solve for x. 

2x-1= 0

2x= 1

x= 1/2

eventually after a few more steps, your answer should be 1/2 is less than or equal to x and 3/4 is greater than or equal to x