Question 77871
Let x=number of books on shorter bookshelf

Then x+5=number of books on longer bookshelf

Now we are told that:
x+x+5=63  subtract 5 from both sides

x+x+5-5=63-5  collect like terms

2x=58  divide both sides by 2

x=29----------------------------number of books on shorter shelf-----ans
x+5=29+5=34--------------------------number of books on longer shelf

CK

29+34=63
63=63
also
29+5=34
34=34


Hope this helps----ptaylor