Question

Michelle and Michael collect baseball cards. Michael has 5 more cards then Michelle. Together they have 27 cards. How many cards does each have.

Answer 1

Michael is x. Michelle is y.
x+y=27
x-5=y

Substitute y
x+(x-5)= 27
2x-5=27
2x=32
x=16

Plug in x value
(16)+y=27
y=11

Final answer: Michael-16, Michelle-11

Answer 2

Create an algebraic equation to solve:
x+x+5=27
x=Michelle

Solve for x.
Add like terms
2x+5=27
Subtract 5 from both sides.
(2x+5)-5=(27)-5
2x=22
Divide 2 from both sides.
(2x)/2=(22)/2
x=11

Michelle has 11 cards.
27-11
=16
Michael has 16 cards.

Hope this helps!
-Benjamin