Question

Together, two people earn $28,000. One earns $2,000 more than the other. How much is the smaller income?

Answer 1

Look at this:

2x+$2,000=$28,000
2x=$28,000-$2,000
2x=$26,000
x=26,000 divided by 2
x=$13,000

Answer 2

P1 +P2= 28 .     ----Equation 1
P1+2= P2 .       -------Equation 2 .          I abbreviate the thousands of $ 

Using substitution
P1+(P1+2)=28
2P1 +2=28
P1=13
then substitute into equation 2 we get
13+2=p2
P2=15

Therefore one is $15,000
and the other is 13,000

Smaller is 13,000!!!