First, set up an equation. Since it says that one number is 7 less than the other, we can use x for the number that is 7 less than the other number, and x+7 to represent the other number. We set the equation equal to 17 because the question says that the sum of two numbers is 17.
x+x+7=17
Then, you solve the equation:
x+x+7=17
2x+7=17
2x=10
x=5.
So, the number that is 7 less than the other number is 5. To find the other number, we would add 7 to 5 because the other number would be 7 more than 5.
