Question

An unknown number y is 12 more than an unknown number x. The number y is also x less than 17. The equations to find x and y are shown below.

Y = x + 12
Y = -x + 17

Which of the following statements is a correct step to find x and y?

Answer 1

To find x and y, we can set the two equations equal to each other:

x + 12 = -x + 17

Next, combine like terms:

2x = 5

Then, divide by 2 to solve for x:

x = 5/2

Now, plug in the value of x back into the equation to solve for y:

y = (5/2) + 12
y = 17/2

Therefore, x = 5/2 and y = 17/2.