Hi Patrick,

I am going to solve a similar problem.

The difference of two numbers is 3 and the larger number is 5/4 of the smaller number. Find the two numbers.

Suppose the two numbers are $x$ and $y,$ where $y$ is the larger. Since the difference is 3 you know that

\[y - x = 3.\]

Since the larger number is 5/4 of the smaller you also know that

\[y = \frac{5}{4} \times x.\]

Substitute this equation into the first equation to get

\[\frac{5}{4} x - x = 3.\]

Thus

\[\frac{1}{4} x = 3 \mbox{ or } x = 12.\]

The larger number is 3 more than 12 so $y = 15.$

Now try your problem.

Penny