SOLUTION: After you show me how to solve this question I can help my son complete the rest. Luke has $5 more than sam. Together they have $73. How much does each have?

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Question 274504: After you show me how to solve this question I can help my son complete the rest. Luke has $5 more than sam. Together they have $73. How much does each have?
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x = amount that luke has and y = amount that sam has

So "Luke has $5 more than sam" means that x=y%2B5 and "Together they have $73" tells us that x%2By=73


x%2By=73 Start with the given equation.


y%2B5%2By=73 Plug in x=y%2B5


2y%2B5=73 Combine like terms on the left side.


2y=73-5 Subtract 5 from both sides.


2y=68 Combine like terms on the right side.


y=%2868%29%2F%282%29 Divide both sides by 2 to isolate y.


y=34 Reduce.


So this means that sam has $34


x=y%2B5 Go back to the first equation


x=34%2B5 Plug in y=34


x=39 Add


So this means that Luke has $39