# Math Help - Basic word problem, finding x and y

1. ## Basic word problem, finding x and y

Hey Guys,

Here is a simple word problem. I found some set up online but it does not use both variables x and y. Instead, it uses the variable x only.
Here is the question:

Two angles are supplementary. One angle is 24° morethan twice the other. Using two variables
x and y, find themeasure of each angle.

x + 2x - 24 = 180
3x = 156 x = 52 degrees, one angle, other one is 128.

How would you set this up by using 2 variables?

2. ## Re: Basic word problem, finding x and y

Originally Posted by Cake
Hey Guys,

Here is a simple word problem. I found some set up online but it does not use both variables x and y. Instead, it uses the variable x only.
Here is the question:

Two angles are supplementary. One angle is 24° morethan twice the other. Using two variables
x and y, find themeasure of each angle.

x + 2x - 24 = 180
3x = 156 x = 52 degrees, one angle, other one is 128.

How would you set this up by using 2 variables?

one way would be

$x + y = 180 because the angles are supplementary$

$y=2x+24 by the 2nd statement of the problem$

Now just plug the 2nd equation into the first to obtain

$x+(2x+24)=180$

$3x + 24 = 180$

$3x=156$

$x=52$

$y=2(52)+24=104+24=128$