Expert: Scott A Wilson - 6/11/2010

Question
Twice one number is 20 more than a second number. One-fourth of the first number is 2 less than 0.25 of the second. Find each number.

Answer
Call the two numbers s and t.
The 1st statement says that 2s = t + 20.
The 2nd statements says that s/4 = t/4 - 2.
Multiplying the 2nd equation by 8 gives 2s = 2t - 16.

Since 2s = t + 20 and 2s = 2t - 16, solve t + 20 = 2t - 16 for t.
Put this in one equation and solve for s.
Put both values in the other equation to make sure the answer is correct.

Hint: both numbers are divisible by 4.