Answer:
31.5 and 112.5, if I read "decreased the other" correctly.
Explanation:
x + y = 144
x = (y + 81)
System of equations, and they've already given us an expression for x in terms of y, so plug that into the 1st equation:
x + y = 144
(y + 81) + y = 144 Now there are only y's. Simplify:
y + 81 + y = 144
2y = 144 + 81
y = 225/2 = 112.5
Now plug 112.5 into either equation and solve for x:
x + 112.5 = 144
x = 31.5
Check our work:
- Do the numbers add up to 144? 112.5 + 31.5 = 144. Yes.
- Is one of them 81 less than the other: 112.5 - 31.5 = 81. Yes.
So those must be the two numbers. Weird that they're decimals though.