Question

Select the set of equations that represents the following situation: The sum of two numbers is 54, and their difference is nine more than the smaller number. What are the two numbers?

Answer 1

i got 24=54;54=x-9

Answer 2

let the larger numbers be x and smaller number be y

x+y=54-------1
x-y=y+9-----2

x-y=y+9
subtract y on both sides
x-y-y=y-y+9------>x-2y=9

now subtract 2nd equation from 1st

x+y=54
-x+2y=-9
-----------
3y=45
y=45/3
y=15

now plug in y value into one of the equation

x+15=54
x=54-15
x=39

so the numbers are 39 and 15