72 total points were scored in a football game. The winning team scored 12 points more than the losing team. How many points did the winning team score?

Question

72 total points were scored in a football game. The winning team scored 12 points more than the losing team.
How many points did the winning team score?

Answer 1

Here's what we know:

x + y = 72

y + 12 = x

 

Since we have a value for a variable, let's plug it in:

(y + 12) + y = 72

2y + 12 = 72

2y = 60

y = 30

 

x = 30 + 12

x = 42

 

Check:

30 + 42 = 72

72 = 72