SOLUTION: my problem is: Luke has $5.00 more than Sam, together they have $73.00. How much does each have. Explain the equation. I know the answer is $34.00 and $39.00, but i don't know ho

If you need immediate math help from PAID TUTORS right now, click here. (paid link)
Click here to see ALL problems on Linear Equations And Systems Word Problems

Question 67820: my problem is: Luke has $5.00 more than Sam, together they have $73.00. How much does each have. Explain the equation.
I know the answer is $34.00 and $39.00, but i don't know how to write it out.
Thank you
Found 3 solutions by stanbon, checkley71, Earlsdon:
Answer by stanbon(48568)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Luke has $5.00 more than Sam, together they have $73.00. How much does each have. Explain the equation.
--------------
Start word problems by symbolizing the unknows.
Let amount Sam has be "x" dollars.
Then Luke has "x+5" dollars.
---------------------------
Then try to write an equation involving the variables.
Sam + Luke have 73 dollars
x + (x+5) = 73
Then solve for the variable.
2x+5=73
2x= 68
x=34
Then interpret the results.
Sam has x=34 dollars
Luke has x+5=34+5=39 dollars
--------------
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Stan H.

Answer by checkley71(8403)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
X+(X+5)=73
X+X+5=73
2X=73-5
2X=68
X=68/2
X=34 ANSWER FOR SAM
34+5=39 FOR LUKE
PROOF
34+39=73
73=73

Answer by Earlsdon(6103)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Try this!
Let L = the amount that Luke has and S = the amount that Sam has. From the problem description, you can write:
L = S+$5 and
L+S = $73 Substitute here the L from above and solve for S.
(S+$5) + S = $73 Simplify.
2S+$5 = $73 Subtract $5 from both sides.
2S = $68 Divide both sides by 2.
S = $34
L = S+$5
L = $39