SOLUTION: Together, Lake Superior and Lake Michigan cover 54 thousand square miles. Lake Superior is approximately 10 thousand square miles larger than Lake Michigan. Find the size of eac

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Question 550968: Together, Lake Superior and Lake
Michigan cover 54 thousand square miles. Lake
Superior is approximately 10 thousand square miles
larger than Lake Michigan. Find the size of each lake.
Divide 54 into 2= 27, then subtract 5 from one side and then add it to the other side x=32 y=22 22+32=54, I understand but how do I put this in a formula?

I know the answer but I'm not too sure how I would present it on paper?
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +s+ = area of L.S.
Let +m+ = area of L.M.
given:
(1) +s+%2B+m+=+54000+ sq. mi.
(2) +s+=+m+%2B+10000+ sq. mi.
------------------------
(2) +s+-+m+=+10000+
Add the equations
+2s+=+64000+
+s+=+32000+
and, since
+s+%2B+m+=+54000+
+m+=+54000+-+32000+
+m+=+22000+
The area of Superior is 32,000 sq mi
The area of Michigan is 22,000 sq mi