Question

the sum of two numbers is 44. the smaller number is 20 less than the larger number. what are the numbers?

Answer 1

x+(x-20)=44
2x= 64
x=32

Therefore the bigger number is 32 and the smaller number is 12
32+12=44

Answer 2

sum means add
x and y are the numbers
sum i 44
x+y=44

smaller s 20 les than larger
x=20+y
or
y=20+x
doesn't matter, just pick one
x=20+y

substue 20+y for x since they are equal
x+y=44
(20+y)+y=44
20+y+y=44
20+2y=44
subtract 20 from both sides
2y=24
divide by 2
y=12
subsitue
x=20+y
x=20+12
x=32

the numbers are 12 and 32