The some of the numbers is 77. the greater number is 5 more than the smaller number. which equation can be used to solve for the smaller number?

Let the smaller number be x and the larger one be y

x + y = 77

y = x + 5

Substituting into the first equation

x + (x + 5) = 77

2x + 5 = 77

Subtracting 5 to both sides

2x +5 -5 = 77-5

2x = 72

Divide both sides by 2

2x/2 = 72/2

x = 36

step-by-step explanation:

you can add the two numbers and divide the result by 2. or you can find the gap between the two numbers and add half of this to the smaller number.