Answer:
Bobby Joe caught 34 fishes
Billy Ray caught 17 fishes
Step-by-step explanation:
Let the number of fish Bobby Joe caught = y
Let the number of Billy Ray caught = x
Total number of fish caught = 51 fishes
x + y = 51......... Equation 1
Billy Ray caught 17 fewer fish than Bobby Joe.
y = x - 17
Write an expression you can use to find out how many fish, f, each boy caught.
Substitute x - 17 for y in Equation 1
x + y = 51......... Equation 1
x + (x - 17) = 51
x + x - 17 = 51
2x = 51 - 17
2x = 34
x = 34/2
x = 17
Hence, Bobby Joe caught 17 fishes
x + y = 51
17 + y = 51
y = 51 - 17
y = 34
Hence, Billy ray caught 34 fishes
