SOLUTION: I have a word problem that I am supposed to turn in to a equation and it says "On a math test Sally scored 14 points more than Leslie the sum of their scores was 160 find their sco

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Question 851017: I have a word problem that I am supposed to turn in to a equation and it says "On a math test Sally scored 14 points more than Leslie the sum of their scores was 160 find their scores. please help me.
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let

L = Leslie's score
S = Sally's score


It tells us that "Sally scored 14 points more than Leslie" so we know


Sally+=+%28Leslie%29+%2B+14


S+=+L+%2B+14 Let's call this equation 1


We're also given "the sum of their scores was 160", which means the two scores add to 160.

%28Sally%29+%2B+%28Leslie%29+=+160


S+%2B+L+=+160 Let's call this equation 2

-------------------------------------------------------

S+%2B+L+=+160 Start with the second equation


L%2B14+%2B+L+=+160 Replace S with L%2B14 (the first equation is S+=+L+%2B+14)


Now we solve for L


L%2B14+%2B+L+=+160


2L%2B14+=+160


2L+=+160-14


2L+=+146


L+=+146%2F2


L+=+73


Now that we know L, we can use this to find S


S+=+L+%2B+14


S+=+73+%2B+14 Replace L with 73 (above we found that L=73)


S+=+87


=======================================================

Summary:

L+=+73 and S+=+87


So
Leslie's score was 73 and
Sally's score was 87


Quick Check: Notice how 87 is 14 more than 73 (87 - 73 = 14) so we have a 14 point difference. Also, the two scores add to 160: 73+87 = 160. So both conditions check out.