Question

An unknown number w is 30 more than an unknown number p. The number w is also p less than 5

Answer 1

The problem statement gives rise to two equations.
  w = 30 + p . . . . . w is 30 more than p
  w = 5 - p . . . . . .. w is p less than 5

Add these two equations to get
  2w = 35
  w = 35/2 = 17.5
  p = 5 - w = -12.5

The unknown number w is 17.5.
The unknown number p is -12.5.