Thread: Solving an equation

*The product of two numbers is 10 -----------------------> ab = 10 ..........(1)
*One number is 3 more than the other number --------> a = b + 3 ........(2)

Substitute the two equations. ^^

Do I use -5 for a and 2 for b? I am not quite sure what you mean by "substitute the two equations."

Originally Posted by bobbyboy1111

*The product of two numbers is 10 -----------------------> ab = 10 ..........(1)
*One number is 3 more than the other number --------> a = b + 3 ........(2)

Substitute the two equations. ^^

Do I use -5 for a and 2 for b? I am not quite sure what you mean by "substitute the two equations."

It means you replace the in equation (1) with the expression for given in equation (2) so that you have a single equation that you use to solve for .

b + 3(b) = 10?

Like this?

Originally Posted by bobbyboy1111

*The product of two numbers is 10 -----------------------> ab = 10 ..........(1)
*One number is 3 more than the other number --------> a = b + 3 ........(2)

a = b+3

substitute (b+3) for a in the first equation ...

(b+3)b = 10

distribute on the left and solve the quadratic equation.

Thanks Skeeter