Question

Write a system of two equations in two variables to solve the problem. On a mother's 23-mile commute to work, she drops her daughter off at a child care center. The first part of the trip is 5 miles less than the second part. How long is each part of her morning commute? first part mi second part m

Answer 1

Answer: the first part is 9 miles.

The second part is 14 miles.

Explanation:

Let x represent the distance of the first part of her morning commute.

Let y represent the distance of the second part of her morning commute.

On a mother's 23-mile commute to work, she drops her daughter off at a child care center. This means that

x + y = 23- - - - - - - - - - - - 1

The first part of the trip is 5 miles less than the second part. It means that

x = y - 5

Substituting x = y - 5 into equation 1, it becomes

y - 5 + y = 23

y + y = 23 + 5

2y = 28

y = 28/2 = 14

x = y - 5 = 14 - 5

x = 9