Word problem

[nmtooter]

:?:
I have one word problem that I am looking for help on. It's probably real simple and I am just making it seem overly complicated.

The average life expectancy for a man is 34 years longer than the life expectancy for a polar bear. If the total of these life expectancies is 110 years, find the life expectancy of each.

Thanks for any help. I feel like a dork asking for help.

 

[soroban]

Hello, nmtooter!

The average life expectancy for a man is 34 years longer than the life expectancy for a polar bear.
If the total of these life expectancies is 110 years, find the life expectancy of each.

Let P = life expectancy for a polar bear.
Then P + 34 = life expectancy for a man.

Their total is 110: . P + (P + 34) .= .110

And there is your equation!