Two numbers have a sum of thirty-one. If one number is p, express the other number in terms of p.

Question

Two numbers have a sum of thirty-one. If one number is p, express the other number in terms of p. 

 

solve the equation

Answer 1

We have two numbers: 'p' and 'not p' let's call that 'n.'

So we have: p + n = 31

 

To put it in terms of p, we need to isolate the variable. So we need to remove the n-value. That means subtraction. And if we subtract from one side, we need to subtract from the other side in order to keep the equation equal to the previous form:

p + n - n = 31 - n

n and -n cancel out, leaving us with: p = 31 - n