Question #cb6b4

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Answer 1 · 2017-11-22T20:35:14

smaller number (a): 5.5
bigger number (b): 17.5

The trick with these sorts of question is translating all the messy words into maths.

difference between two numbers is 12: $b-a=12$

larger number + 5 $times$ smaller number =45: $b+5a=45$

Now rearrange an equation so it's in terms of one variable, and substitute into the other equation:

$b=12+a$

Sub this value for $b$ into the other equation and solve for $a$ :

$(12+a)+5a=45$
$12+6a=45$
$6a=33$
$a=33/6$ or $5.5$

Now put this value for $a$ back into the first equation, $b-a=12$
$b-5.5=12$
$b=17.5$