Algebra word equations

Question

One number is five greater than another number and the sum of two numbers is 29

Answer 1

Hi, so I'll designate this as:

x = the first number

y = the first number + 5, or x + 5. So then x + y = 29

So we can rewrite that equation by substituting y with x + 5 instead, so x + x + 5 = 29, and when you combine like terms you get 2x + 5 = 29. Subtract the 5 from both sides and you're left with 2x = 24, divide both sides by 2, and you get x = 12.

So then if y = x + 5, we can substitute the 12 for x, so then y = 12 + 5, and then y = 17.

To check our work, we have x + y = 29, or 12 + 17 = 29.

Answer 2

Asked and answered!