One number exceeds another by 20. The sum of the numbers is 60. What are the numbers?

Answer 1

Hello Savannah,

First, let's write some expressions to represent these two numbers, fair enough? Great!

Therefore:

Let the first number be x <----you can use any variable you wish and please note this number has no identifying info in the problem which is why I give the variable of x to this number. For example, we know the next number will be less 20 from this number by 20, okay? Why? "One number (x) exceeds another by 20," okay?

Let the second number be x - 20

Second, we know the sum of these two numbers equals 60, right?

Therefore, the following is true according to the problem:

x + x - 20 = 60 Do you see this now? Okay, now simplify terms.

2x - 20 = 60 <----add 20 which cancels out the -20 on the left side leaving 2x to itself.

2x = 80

x = 40

Remember to check our work always. To do this, substitute the our answer for x, in this case 40 in the original equation.

Therefore:

x + x - 20 = 60

40 + 40 -20 = 60

80 - 20 = 60

60 = 60

The solution checks out and is therefore valid. I hope I provided you the assistance you need and wish you a great ending to your week. If I may be of further assistance, please feel free to reach out to me through the Wyzant system of emails, and I will be more than happy to assist. Best!