The larger of two numbers is 4 less than five times the smaller. When the smaller number is subtracted from the larger, the difference is 4. Find the numbers.
Let x be the larger number.
Let y be the smaller number
The larger of two numbers is 4 less than five times the smaller.
The above sentence gives the following equation
x = 5y - 4 equation 1
When the smaller number is subtracted from the larger, the difference is 4.
The above sentence gives the following equation
x - y = 4 equation 2
In equation 1, we know what x is.
Just replace x into equation 2
5y - 4 - y = 4
4y - 4 = 4
4y - 4 + 4 = 4 + 4
4y = 8
Since 4 × 2 = 8
y = 2
x = 5 × 2 - 4
x = 10 - 4 = 6
The two numbers are 6 and 2