Question

Rick and myra collects stamps. Rick has 150 fewer stamps than Myra. Together they have collected 500 stamps. How much stamps does each person have in their collection.how can I do it without using equations?

Answer 1

The first thing we must do for this case is to define variables.
 We have then:
 x: number of stamps collected by Rick
 y: number of stamps collected by Myra
 We write the system of equations that models the problem:
 $x = y - 150 x + y = 500$
 Solving the system by substitution we have:
 $(y-150) + y = 500 2y = 500 + 150 y = 650/2 y = 325$
 Then, the value of x is:
 $x = 325 - 150 x = 175$
 Answer:
 each person have in their collection:
 Myra: 325
 Rick: 175

Answer 2

let
x---------> Rick's stamps
y--------> Myra's stamps

we know that
x+y=500-------> equation 1
x=y-150------> equation 2
substitute equation 2 in equation 1
[y-150]+y=500--------> 2y=500+150-------> y=650/2
y=325
x=y-150------> x=325-150-----> x=175

the answer is
Rick's stamps------> 175
Myra's stamps------> 325

this problem involves two variables, so you necessarily have to use a system of equations to solve it