On an algebra test, the lowest grade was 38 points lower than the highest grade. The sum of the two grades was 124. What was the lowest grade?

Answer 1

Hi Li,

Let's use the variable , x , to represent the highest grade.

Then we can represent the lowest grade as: x - 38

Since the sum of the two grades is 124 , we can write and solve the following equation to find the value of x first:

x + (x-38) = 124

2x - 38 = 124

2x - 38 + 38 = 124 +38

2x = 162

2x/2 = 162/ 2

x = 81

The highest grade will be 81. The lowest grade will be 81 - 38 = 43

Note that the sum is 124 : 43 + 81 = 124