SOLUTION: Two numbers add up to 137 and the first is 17 bigger than the second. What are the two numbers?

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Question 1142273: Two numbers add up to 137 and the first is 17 bigger than the second. What are the two numbers?
Found 3 solutions by josgarithmetic, ikleyn, greenestamps:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39621)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Answer by ikleyn(52818)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
Two numbers add up to 137 and the first is 17 bigger than the second. What are the two numbers?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


            Again and again,  the  "solution"  and the answer by  @josgarithmetic are   TOTALLY  WRONG.

            For your safety,  simply ignore it.

            For your safety,  ignore  EVERYTHING  that you,  UNFORTUNATELY,  may get from him in the future.

            I came to bring a correct solution. 


Let x is the bigger number and y is the smaller number.  Then


    x + y = 137    (1)
  
    x - y = 17.    (2)


Add the equations to eliminate "y". You will get


    2x = 137 + 17 = 154,

hence,  

    x              = 154/2 = 77.


Then from equation (1),  y = 137 - x = 137 - 77 = 60.


ANSWER.   x= 77,  y= 60.


/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ 

    @josgarithmetic is a legendary person at this forum.


    (almost) Every problem he does touch, he converts into a TRASH -- instead of making a brilliant peace of art from it, 

    as every qualified tutor must do.


    He is as far from to be a tutor as the Earth is from a heaven.


////////////////

He changed his post after my notice.



Answer by greenestamps(13203)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!


Solving the problem using formal algebra is good practice in formal mathematics.

If an algebraic solution is not required, solving the problem informally can be good mental exercise in problem solving.

(1) subtract 17 from the larger number to make the two numbers the same; the sum of the two numbers is now 137-17 = 120.
(2) half of 120 is 60, so the two numbers are now 60 and 60.
(3) add the 17 back on to the larger number; the numbers are 60 and 60+17=77.
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