The combined land area of the countries a and b is 178,973 square kilometers. country a is larger by 373 square kilometers. determine the land area of each country.

X=area of the country A
y=area of the country B
we saggest this system of equations:
x+y=178,973
x=y+373
we solve this system of equations by substitution method.
(y+373)+y=178,973
2y=178,973-373
2y=178600
y=178,600/2=89,300

x=y+373
x=89300+373=89,673

area of the country A=89,673 Km²
area of the country B=89,300 Km²

To check
The combined land area of the countries A and B is =89,673 Km²+89,300 Km²=178,973 Km²
Country A (89,673 Km²) is 373 Km² more larger than country B (89,300 Km²).
89,673 Km²=89,300 Km²+373 Km²

1/6 of a chance i would believe