SOLUTION: Can anyone help with my question - how to set up the equation, etc. Find two numbers whose sum is 63 and whose difference is 5.

Question 237979: Can anyone help with my question - how to set up the equation, etc.

Find two numbers whose sum is 63 and whose difference is 5.
Answer by College Student(505) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
We know that both number must add up to 63, so if we were to split 63 in half, we would get 31.5. So now you can say 31.5 + 31.5 = 63 .
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However, the problem also tells us that their difference is 5, so we need to "tip the balance" between the two figures by increasing one and decreasing the other by the same amount until we find the two numbers required by the problem.
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Notice you cannot decrease one by 5 and increase the other by 5 because your difference would then be 10. Can you see it?
31.5 - 5 = 26.5 and 31.5 + 5 = 36.5; so in this case 36.5 - 26.5 would equal 10.
That would be twice the amount you wanted to adjust.
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So instead of adjust 5, what if we adjust half of 5 (same as 2.5)? Then you'll find the numbers you're looking for. Can you see it?
31.5 - 2.5 = 29 and 31.5 + 2.5 = 34
Now, these numbers when added together... 29+34=63 and you could deduct 29 from 34 to come up with their difference, 5. 34-29=5
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Here's your equation:

Remember we first cut 63 in half? The value of x in the equation represents that number... 31.5, so:
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Proof:

5/2 = 2.5 (it's like having $5 and dividing it in half, you'd get $2.50 ~if it makes it easier for you to remember it this way)

and...

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