Two numbers total 57 and have a difference of 33

X+y=57
x-y=33
make first one in x= form
x=-y+57
x-y=33
-y+57-y=33
-2y+57=33
-2y=-24

y=12

plug in to find x

x-y=33
x-12=33

x=45

45 and 12!

Explanation below:

We have two equations!

x + y = 57
x - y = 33

This is a simple example of linear equations!

Let's use substitution in this case:

In one of the equations we need to get a variable by itself. Let's try the first one and try to get 'x' isolated by taking away y from the left side. That means we have: x = 57 - y.

Now let's plug this into the second equation, we have: (57 - y) - y = 33.

Let's release the parentheses and combine the negative y's to get: 57 - 2y = 33

Now take away 57 to try and isolate '2y', we get: -2y = -24.

Now divide by -2 to get y = 12.

Lastly plug 12 into any equation as y and solve for the x.

In the first one, we'd have x + 12 = 57.

That means x is 45!

We did it! Hope that helps!

:D®