Question 274504
Let x = amount that luke has and y = amount that sam has


So "Luke has $5 more than sam" means that {{{x=y+5}}} and "Together they have $73" tells us that {{{x+y=73}}}



{{{x+y=73}}} Start with the given equation.



{{{y+5+y=73}}} Plug in {{{x=y+5}}}



{{{2y+5=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=(68)/(2)}}} Divide both sides by {{{2}}} to isolate {{{y}}}.



{{{y=34}}} Reduce.



So this means that sam has $34



{{{x=y+5}}} Go back to the first equation



{{{x=34+5}}} Plug in {{{y=34}}}



{{{x=39}}} Add



So this means that Luke has $39