Question

Based on the Census, state A has 17 fewer electoral votes for president then state B. If the total number of electoral votes for these two states is 87, find the number for each state. Let x represent the number of electoral votes in state B. Then ? represents the number of electoral votes for state A.

Answer 1

X = B.......x - 17 = A

x + x - 17 = 87
2x - 17 = 87
2x = 87 + 17
2x = 104
x = 104/2
x = 52........so state B has 52 electoral votes

x - 17 = A
52 - 17 = A
35 = A.....so state A has 35 electoral votes