Question

The sum of two numbers is 48. The small number is 6 less than the big number. What is the small number?

Answer 1

x=6

Explanation:

x+y=48

x=y-6

substitute "y-6" instead of x

x+y=48

(y+6)+y=48

y+y is equal to y

6+y=48

-6 -6

y= 42

x= 48-y

x=48-42

x=6

I hope this helped

Answer 2

21

Explanation:

x - the small number

x+6 - the big number

x + x + 6 = 48

2x + 6 = 48

- 6 - 6

2x = 42

÷2 ÷2

x = 21

Verifying:

x+6 = 21 + 6 = 27

21 + 27 = 48