Question

The governor of state A earns ​$48,980 more than the governor of state B. If the total of their salaries is ​$289,660​, find the salaries of each

Answer 1

Let x = salary for governor of state A
Let y = salary for governor of state B

Then x = y + 48980, since gov. of state A earns this much more than governor of state B.

Therefore we have x + y = 289660. Substitute for x.

(y + 48980) + y = 289660
2y + 48980 = 289660
2y = 240680
y = $120340, which is salary for governor B.

Now we substitute y into x = y + 48980
x = 120340 + 48980
x = $169320, which is salary for governor A.

Answer 2

Governor of State B: $120,340; Governor of State A: $169,320

Explanation:

For the sake of this problem, let's set the salary of State B's governor as x. That would make the salary of State A's governor equal to x+48980. The following lists out how to solve this problem.

Governor B salary + Governor A salary = $48980

x+x+48980=289660

2x+48980=289660

2x=240680

x=120340

120340+48980=169320