Question

Malik collects rare stamps and has a total of 212 stamps. He has 34 more domestic stamps than foreign stamps. Let x represent the number of domestic stamps and let y represent the number of foreign stamps.
This system of equations models the given information for both stamp types.

x – y = 34

x + y = 212

Answer 1

To solve, you just set the first equation equal to x, so x=34+y. Then you plug 34+y in for x on the second equation, giving you (34+y)+y=212.
Then simplify to 34+2y=212.
Minus 34 on both sides to get 2y=178.

Then solve for y, substitute that value into the first equation, and then solve for x.