Question

(1) The number of items on two grocery lists differs by 7.
(2) The total number of items is 33.
How many items are on each list?

Answer 1

list 1 = x items
list 2= (x+7) items
total items on both lists = 33
can you proceed from here?

Answer 2

You can set this up as a simple system of equations. If one grocery list is 'x' and one is 'y' then:
x-y = 7
x+y = 33

Answer 3

@qpHalcy0n you're also correct, but why use two unknowns when you can set up with one?

Answer 4

i need a little more help

Answer 5

You don't necessarily have to solve the system as such. Solve for either variable in one and just subtract from 33.

Answer 6

@ rayleigh: list 1 +list 2 = 33
x + (x+7)=33
2x +7 =33
2x = 26
x = 13 ........list 1
x+7 = 13+7 = 20........list 2

Answer 7

thank you!