The sum of two numbers is 51. The smaller number is 9 less than the larger number. What are the numbers?

Smaller number is 21 and larger is 30

21 and 30

step-by-step explanation:

Let x = larger number

Let x-9 = smaller number

larger number + smaller number = Total

x + (x-9) = 51

Now need to solve.

Combine like terms

2x - 9 = 51

Add 9 to both sides and simplify

2x - 9 + 9 = 51 + 9

2x = 60

Divide both sides by 2 and simplify

2x/2 = 60/2

x = 30

The larger number is 30, now need to find the smaller number

Let x-9 = smaller number

30 - 9 = 21

21 is the smaller number

30 is the bigger number