Answer:
15 (second option listed)
y = 15
x = 30
Step-by-step explanation:
setting up this statement algebraically:
[where x = one of our numbers, y = other number]
x + y = 48
x = (2y + 3)
x = 2y + 3
plug x [now in terms of y] into the original equation
(2y + 3) + y = 48
3y + 3 = 48
- 3 - 3
3 y = 45
÷3 ÷3
y = 15
from this value, we can plug it back into the y-value of the original equation to find our x-value
x + y = 48
x + 15 = 48
- 15 - 15
x = 33
{to check: 33 is 2y + 3}
we know that y = 15 (smaller number) and that x = 33 (larger number)
so, the solution to the question of which is the smaller number is 15
