Question 544738: i am a special ed student in college and i am having a hard time figuring this problem out. two numbers total 57 and have a difference of 9. Answer by nyc_function(2741) (Show Source):
We have a system of linear equations in two variables.
See above that +b and -b cancel out. See it?
Then we add a + a = 2a.
2a = 57 + 9
2a = 66
a = 66/2
a = 33
To find the other number, replace a with 33 in either of the equations above and solve for b. I will use a + b = 57 but you can use the other if you'd like.
a + b = 57
Let a = 33
33 + b = 57
b = 57 - 33
b = 24
The two numbers are 24 and 33.
