JAMB 1999 · UME · Q20

Linear & simultaneous equations

The sum of two numbers is twice their difference. If the difference of the numbers is $p$ , find the larger of the two numbers.

Worked solution (try it first)

Let the numbers be $a$ (larger) and $b$ .
The difference is $a - b = p$ , and the sum is twice that: $a + b = 2p$ .
Add the two equations so $b$ cancels: $2a = 3p$ .
So the larger number is $a = \frac{3p}{2}$ , option B.

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