Together, two people earn $28,000. One earns $2,000 more than the other. How much is the smaller income?

Together, two people earn $28,000. One earns $2,000 more than the other. How much is the smaller income?

• A. $12,000
• B. $15,000
• C. $13,000
• D. $14,000

Answer: (C)

To determine how much the smaller income is, consider the relationship between the two incomes based on the information provided. Let's denote the smaller income as \( x \). According to the problem, the larger income would then be \( x + 2000 \). The total income for both individuals is given as $28,000. Therefore, we can set up the following equation to represent their combined earnings: \[ x + (x + 2000) = 28000 \] This simplifies to: \[ 2x + 2000 = 28000 \] Next, subtract 2000 from both sides to isolate the terms involving \( x \): \[ 2x = 28000 - 2000 \] \[ 2x = 26000 \] Now, divide both sides by 2 to solve for \( x \): \[ x = \frac{26000}{2} \] \[ x = 13000 \] Thus, the smaller income is $13,000. This makes sense in the context of the problem because if one person's income is $13,000, the other person's income—being $2,000 more—would be $15,000. Their combined income ($13,000

To determine how much the smaller income is, consider the relationship between the two incomes based on the information provided. Let's denote the smaller income as ( x ). According to the problem, the larger income would then be ( x + 2000 ).

The total income for both individuals is given as $28,000. Therefore, we can set up the following equation to represent their combined earnings:

[ x + (x + 2000) = 28000 ]

This simplifies to:

[ 2x + 2000 = 28000 ]

Next, subtract 2000 from both sides to isolate the terms involving ( x ):

[ 2x = 28000 - 2000 ]

[ 2x = 26000 ]

Now, divide both sides by 2 to solve for ( x ):

[ x = \frac{26000}{2} ]

[ x = 13000 ]

Thus, the smaller income is $13,000. This makes sense in the context of the problem because if one person's income is $13,000, the other person's income—being $2,000 more—would be $15,000. Their combined income ($13,000