The population of a city is 2,500. The number of people who own a car is 240 less than the number of people who don't. How many people own a car (x)? How many people don't (y)?

Answer 1

x = y -240

x-y = -240

x+y = 2500

x-y = -240

2x = 2260

x = 1130 = number of car owners

y = 1130 + 240 = 1370 = number of non-car owners

that seems to be the answer, assuming you count everyone, including 1 year old babies among the non car owners. But then the answer seems skewed.