Question 1175236
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Hello,  it is the  American style formulating  Math problems by filling them with a lot of unnecessary words.


They think that than more unnecessary words they will stuff into the text,  than better --- than smarter they will seem to be . . . 


Although,  in reality,  than more unnecessary words are in the text,  than it is  WORST.



                    Even ancient  Greeks and ancient  Romans just knew it . . . 



So,  the first task of the reader working with such problems is to  CLEAN  the text from this garbage.


Doing it is the necessary part of the job.


When you complete this part, the setup will become clear to you.



                    Now to the solution.



There are two ways to setup the problem.



<pre>
<U>First way</U> is to use a system of two equations, if you are familiar with it.


   R + J = 276  runs    (together, these two players . . . )

   R - J =  16          (the difference between the two . . . )


R is standing for Ryan; J is standing for Josh.


At this point, setup is completed.


To solve the system, you simply add equations and eliminate one unknown.


So, the rest is just a technique.




<U>The other way to setup</U> is to write


    Ryan + Josh   = 276

     R   + (R-16) = 276.


At this point, the setup is completed with one equation,  and you can easily solve it.
</pre>


Both ways work perfectly &nbsp;(as your watch at your wrist) &nbsp;and always produce the same result.


Which way to prefer is up to you.



For the first way to setup and to solve the problem, &nbsp;see numerous typical examples in my lesson

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/coordinate/lessons/Word-problems-that-lead-to-a-simple-system-of-two-equations-in--wo-unknowns.lesson>Word problems that lead to a simple system of two equations in two unknowns</A> 

in this site.



Also, &nbsp;you have this free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I in this site

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- <A HREF=https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/quadratic/lessons/ALGEBRA-I-YOUR-ONLINE-TEXTBOOK.lesson>ALGEBRA-I - YOUR ONLINE TEXTBOOK</A>.


The referred lesson is the part of this online textbook under the topic "<U>Systems of two linear equations in two unknowns</U>".


Save the link to this online textbook together with its description


Free of charge online textbook in ALGEBRA-I
https://www.algebra.com/algebra/homework/quadratic/lessons/ALGEBRA-I-YOUR-ONLINE-TEXTBOOK.lesson


to your archive and use it when it is needed.



Happy learning &nbsp;(!)



Come again to this forum soon to learn something new &nbsp;(!)