Answer: the smaller number is 11, and the larger number is 28
Step-by-step explanation:
Let x = the smaller number; then the greater number is 3x-5. When you add these they must equal 39, so:
x + (3x-5) = 39
4x - 5 = 39; now add 5 to both sides:
4x = 44; now divide both sides by 4, and you get x =11, which is the smaller number. The larger number would be 3(11)-5 = 33 - 5 = 28
