Question

The sum of two numbers is 77. The greater number is 5 more than the smaller number. Which equation can be used to solve for the smaller number? (5 points)

Answer 1

smaller is x, then x+x+5=77, so x=36

Answer 2

We can write a system of equations.

x + y = 77
y = x + 5

Plug in x + 5 into the first equation:

x + y = 77

x + (x + 5) = 77

So this is our answer.