The sum of 2 consecutive numbers is 3 less than 3 times the first number. What are the numbers?

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The sum of 2 consecutive numbers is 3 less than 3 times the first number. What are the numbers?

Let the first number be x. And the second number be y. We're given:

1. y = x + 1
2. x + y = 3x - 3 (less 3 means subtract 3)

Substitute (1) into (2):
x + x + 1 = 3x - 3

Combine like terms:
2x + 1 = 3x - 3

Type this equation into the search engine, we get:
x = 4

Substituting x = 4 into equation 1:
y = 4 + 1
y = 5

So (x, y) = (4, 5)