Building a is 160 feet shorter than building

b. the total height of the two buildings is 1530 feet. find the height of each building.

Let x be the height of building A.

A = x

B = x + 160

Total height = 1530

x + x + 160 = 1530

2x + 160 = 1530

2x = 1370

x = 685 feet

A = 685

B = 685 + 160 = 845

Answer: Building A = 685 ft and Building B = 845 ft.

First, you have to write out the problem

b-160=a

a+b=1530

Then, substitute b-160 for a in the second equation

b-160+b=1530

Simplify

2b=1690

Simplify again

b=845

Then plug into the first equation (b-160=a)

845-160=a

Simplify

685=a

Check

685+845=1530

Final

a=685

b=845