The sum of two numbers is -16. Three times the larger equals the smaller. How do you find the larger number?

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Answer 1 · 2017-01-05T08:49:22

The larger number is #-4#.

Consider the numbers to be #x# and #y# with #x# as the larger number. From the data, we can write:

#x+y=-16#
#3x=y#

From the second equation, we have a value for #y#.

In the first equation, substitute #y# with #color(red)(3x)#.

#x+y=-16#

#x+color(red)3x=-16#

#4x=-16#

Divide both sides by #4#.

#x=-4#

In the second equation, substitute #x# with #color(blue)(-4)#.

#3x=y#

#3(color(blue)-4)=y#

#-12=y# or #y=-12#