Question

What number is 13 less than the other their sum is 17 find the numbers

Answer 1

number 1 = x

number 2 = y

$\begin{gathered} x-13=y \\ x+y=17 \end{gathered}$

replacing y in the second equation

$\begin{gathered} x+x-13=17 \\ 2x-13=17 \\ 2x-13+13=17+13 \\ 2x=30 \\ \frac{2x}{2}=\frac{30}{2} \\ x=15 \end{gathered}$

solve for y

$\begin{gathered} y=15-13 \\ y=2 \end{gathered}$

number 1 is 15

number 2 is 2