Math Is Fun Forum

bronxsystem

Member

Registered: 2013-06-22

Posts: 63

basic Algebra question

basic algebra but im having trouble with it
any advice much appreciated

The sum of two numbers is 23. Seven times the first number less five times the second number is equal to 5. What are the two numbers?

not sure where to start ><

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: basic Algebra question

a + b = 23

7a - 5b = 5

The first number is 10 and the second number is 13.

Welcome to the forum.

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In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

bronxsystem

Member

Registered: 2013-06-22

Posts: 63

Re: basic Algebra question

hey thanks

any chance you can break down how you solve 7a - 5b = 5 ><
my book doesn't explain it

not being lazy i was able to do the earlier ones but just hit a wall here plzzzzzzzzzz tips and tricks

bronxsystem

Member

Registered: 2013-06-22

Posts: 63

Re: basic Algebra question

is this the proper working?
a+b = 23
a = 23 - b
7a - 5b = 5

7 (23 - b) - 5b = 5
151 - 7b - 5b = 5
-7b - 5b = 156
12b = 156
b = 13

and second number easy but does that working make sense?

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,621

Re: basic Algebra question

hi bronxsystem

Welcome to the forum.

I'll go through it line by line   

a+b = 23
a = 23 - b  OK
7a - 5b = 5

7 (23 - b) - 5b = 5  OK

151 - 7b - 5b = 5  hhmmmm  I make that 161 - 7b -5b = 5

So then it should be -12b = - 156 not -7b - 5b = 156

Multiply both sides by -1

12b = 156 back on track here but would you have got this without knowing bobbym's answer?

b = 13  OK

So, some lines correct, but your mistakes sort of cancelled each other out.   

If you want more practice have a look at

http://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/syste … tions.html

There's a long explanation of the methods you can use (which you could look at or skip if you feel confident, I think) but at the bottom there's a set of questions to try.

Bob

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Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
You cannot teach a man anything;  you can only help him find it within himself..........Galileo Galilei
Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob

bronxsystem

Member

Registered: 2013-06-22

Posts: 63

Re: basic Algebra question

oops yeah i see what happened

161 - 7b - 5b = 5
-7 - 5b = -156
-12b = -156
b = 13

thanks for link and help all (:

Last edited by bronxsystem (2013-06-23 01:47:32)

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: basic Algebra question

Hi bronxsystem;

I am hoping that you can formulate the problem. That is how to translate the words into mathematical statements.

Although I am of the type that is more interested in how then why, the ability to set the problem up is equally important.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

bronxsystem

Member

Registered: 2013-06-22

Posts: 63

Re: basic Algebra question

i understand thanks ^^

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: basic Algebra question

Hi;

Okay, you are welcome.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.