Final answer:
To solve the equation x + (x + 2) = 54, we combine like terms to get 2x + 2 = 54. By subtracting 2 and dividing by 2, we find x = 26. Adding 2 to 26, we determine the larger number is 28, so the two numbers are 26 and 28.
Step-by-step explanation:
Finding the Two Numbers
To find the two numbers whose sum is 54 and where one number is 2 more than the other, we can set up the equation x + (x + 2) = 54. Simplifying the equation, we get 2x + 2 = 54. To solve for x, we first subtract 2 from both sides: 2x = 52. Then we divide both sides by 2 to get x = 26. This means the smaller number is 26. To find the larger number, we add 2 to the smaller number: x + 2 = 26 + 2 = 28. Hence, the two numbers are 26 and 28.