Question

Tripp and Rico are two dogs. Tripp weighs exactly 35 pounds more than Rico. Together, they weigh exactly 49 pounds. How much does each dog weigh? Please use Two-step equations!!!! plz, help!

Answer 1

Call the weights of the two dogs $t$ and $r$.

We know that Tripp weights 35lbs more than Rico, or:
$t=r+35$

We also know that the total weight of both dogs is 49lbs.:
$t+r=49$

Now, by substitution:
$(r+35)+r=49$
$2r+35=49$
$2r+35-35=49-35$
$2r=14$
$r=\frac{14}{2}$
$r=7$
Rico weighs 7lbs.

Then:
$t=r+35$
$t=7+35$
$t=42$
Tripp weighs 42lbs.

To check our work:
$t+r=49$
$42+7=49$
$49=49$  CHECK!