Question

Hello! I need help with a math problem, this is the question:

The tallest freestanding structure in the Canada is the CN tower, located in Toronto,
Ontario. It is 390 m taller than the tallest church tower in the world, located in
Germany. The sum of their heights is 710 m. Use linear systems of equations to
model this situation, and find the heights of the CN tower and the church tower.

The problem I have with this question is coming up with the two equations needed to solve this problem, can anybody help me and tell me if the equations I came up with are correct? And if they are not correct then could somebody please help me understand how to get the correct equations? Very much appreciated!

x + y = 710
390x + y = 710

Answer 1

CN Tower = 550 m and church tower = 160 m

Explanation:

The first equation x + y = 710 is correct

but the second one is

x - y = 390

Note x = height of the CN tower and y = height of the church.

x + y = 710

x - y = 390

If we add the 2 above equations we eliminate y so

2x = 1100

x = 550 m

and y = 710 - 550 = 160 m