If a problem says one number is twice as large as another, which number should I choose as my variable?

1 Answer
Sep 11, 2014

I suggest that you use concrete numbers at first to set up the equation or expression. Once you are able to see how the numbers are put into place then you can substitute out the numbers for variables where necessary.

In this case you should make the variable the smaller number.

Lets say that the first number is a #3#, then the second number would be #3 * 2 = 6# .

If you decided to use variable we would say that #x = 3# so #x * 2 = 6#.

So your expressions would be #x# and #2x#.