Answer: 12 and 36
Step-by-step explanation: The best way to approach a word problem like this is to break it down sentence by sentence.
We know that the sum of two numbers is 48 so we can move on to the next sentence. Now, let's take a look at the second sentence. One number is 3 times as large as the other.
This sentence tells us what variables we are going to use to represent our numbers.
So if we use x to represent one of our numbers, and one number is 3 times as large as the other, we can use 3x to represent our other number. Also, make sure to always label your variables.
X ⇒ first number
3x ⇒ second number
Now let's look back at the first sentence. "The sum of two numbers is 48". This sentence tells us how we will set up our equation. "The sum" if our variables are X and 3x will be X + 3x = 48.
Keep in mind, the word "is" means equal.
Now we have the following equation and we can solve for X.
X + 3x = 48
We start by simplifying on the left side to get 4x.
Now we have the following equation.
4x = 48
÷4 ÷4 ← divide both sides of the equation by 4
X = 12
So our first number, X, is 12 and our second number will be 3 × 12 or 36.
Therefore, our two numbers are 12 and 36.
