Find a linear equation to solve for the following unknown quantities:

Question

One number exceeds another number by 2 and their sum is 18.

The equation is: ________

(Note: use as your variable)

The two numbers are: _______ (Note: separate with comma with no extra space )

Answer 1

Let x= the smaller number

Let x+2 = The bigger number (Because the bigger exceeds the smaller by 2)

Small number + Big number = Total

Substitute in expressions and numbers

x+(x+2) = 18 Combine like terms

2x+2=18 Subtract 2 from both sides.

2x=16 Divide both sides by 2

x=8 8 is the smaller number

x+2 = 10 is the larger number