The sum of two numbers is 41. One number is less than twice the other. How do you find the larger of the two numbers?

1 Answer
Jun 28, 2015

The conditions are not restrictive enough. Even assuming positive integers the larger number can be any number in the range #21# to #40#.

Explanation:

Let the numbers be #m# and #n#

Assume #m, n# are positive integers and that #m < n#.

#m + n = 41 = 20.5 + 20.5#

So one of #m# and #n# is less than #20.5# and the other is greater.

So if #m < n#, we must have #n >= 21#

Also #m>=1#, so #n = 41 - m <= 40#

Putting these together, we get #21 <= n <= 40#

The other condition that one number is less than twice the other is always satisfied, since #m < 2n#