Question 80814
For the second house, you can write:
{{{A[2] = 2A[1]-1000}}} where:{{{A[1]}}} and {{{A[2]}}} are the areas of house 1 and house 2 respectively. You can also write:
{{{A[1]+A[2] = 4400}}} Rewrite this as: {{{A[2] = 4400-A[1]}}} and substitute it for {{{A[2]}}} in the first equation.
{{{4400-A[1] = 2A[1]-1000}}} Simplify and solve for {{{A[1]}}}. Add {{{A[1]}}} to both sides.
{{{4400 = 3A[1] -1000}}} Add 1000 to both sides.
{{{5400 = 3A[1]}}} Divide both sides by 3.
{{{1800 = A[1]}}}

The first house has 1,800 square feet.