Question

The sum of two numbers is 34. The smaller number is 6 less than the larger number. What are the numbers?

Answer 1

Let's call the numbers x and y, with y being the smaller number.

x+y=34

x-6=y

You can set both of these equations equal to one variable to solve for the other. Using the first equation:

x+y=34

Subtract y from both sides.

x=34-y

Using the second equation

x-6=y

Add 6 to both sides.

x=y+6

Now, since both equations equal x, you can set them equal to each other:

34-y=y+6

Add y to both sides.

34=2y+6

Subtract 6 from both sides.

28=2y

Divide both sides by 2.

14=y

The smaller number (y) is 14. We can plug 14 into either of the above equations to solve for the larger number (x).

x+(14)=34

Subtract 14 from both sides.

x=20

You can check that the numbers are 14 and 20; they equal 34 when added and 14 is 6 less than 20.

The larger number is 20 and the smaller number is 14.

I hope this helps :)

Answer 2

the answer would be 20 and 14 because 20-6=14 and 20+14 equals 34