Question

In the class elections, Connie received 53 more votes than Carl. In all, 221 votes were cast for the two candidates. How many votes did Connie receive?

Answer 1

Carl + 53 = Connie
Carl + Connie = 221


Those are your 2 starting equations, and now you know have an equation for what Connie equals, so take that and put it into the other one:

Carl + (Carl + 53) = 221
2 Carl = 168
Carl = 84 votes

Now place that back into the equation:

Carl + Connie = 221
84 + Connie = 221
Connie = 137 votes

Then you can test this by placing the 2 numbers into the first equation:

Carl + 53 = Connie
84 + 53 = 137