The problem can be set up either way because when you add the numbers together you will get the same answer.
9.8+25.4=35.2
25.4+9.8=35.2
The answer to your question is x=2. what you want to do is find both the x values for your quadratic equation and then add them and divide by 2.
See if this works if it does let me know
3 months for nita and 2 month for tom. Hope this helped.