Two numbers are such that the first is half as large as the other. If the sum of the two numbers is 720, what are the numbers?

Let the first number be x and the second number be
y.

Given that x is half y

==> x
= y/2 .............(1)

Also, given that the sum of the numbers is
720.

==> x + y =
720.............(2)

Now we will substitute (1) into
(2).

==> (y/2) + y = 720

We will
multiply by 2.

==> y+ 2y =
1440

==> 3y = 1440

Now we will
divide by 3.

==> y= 1440/3 =
480

==> y= 480

==> x=
480/2 = 240

Then the numbers are 480 and
240.