The sum of two numbers is 54 . The larger number is 12 more than the smaller number. What are the numbers?

Question

The sum of two numbers is
54
. The larger number is
12
more than the smaller number. What are the numbers?

Answer 1

 

"The sum of two numbers [I will call them 'A' and 'B'] is  54."     ==>      A + B  =  54

           A + B                                                           =  54

 

"The larger number is 12 more than the smaller number."         ==>      A  =  12 + B

            A               =  12  +                    B

 

 

substitute the second equation into the first, and solve of B. Then use the second equation and

your newly found value for B to find the value for A.

 

Answer 2

Let x=one number and x+12= the other number.  Together the numbers=54.  Set up the equation:  x+x+12=54;  Combine the variables;  2x+12=54;  Subtract 12 from both sides of the equation;  2x=42; Divide both sides of the equation by 2;  x=21 is one number and 21+12=33 is the other number.  Check:  2(21) +12=54;  42+12=54;  54=54.