NUMBER PROBLEM INVOLVING LINEAR EQUATIONS IN ONE VARIABLE

One number is four greater than the other. The sum of the two numbers is 43. Find the numbers.

Solution:

Let x = smaller number
x + 4 = larger number
x + (x+4) = 43     - equation
2x + 3 = 43
2x = 43 - 3
2x = 40
2       2
x = 20                 - smaller number
x + 4 = 24           - larger number

Hence the number, 43, is the sum of the smaller number, 20 and the larger number 24.

Check:
20 + (20 + 4) = 43
43 = 43