Jennifer Lopez met her 9 cousins at a family reunion. The number of male cousins (x) was 2 less than the number of females cousins (y)

We define the variables first:

x = number of male cousins

y = number of females cousins

We write the system of equations:

x + y = 9

x = y-2

We solve the system:

Equation 1:

x + y = 9

(y-2) + y = 9

2y-2 = 9

y = 11/2 = 5.5

Equation 2:

x = 5.5-2

x = 3.5

Answer:

Although physically it does not make sense, mathematically the answer is:

number of male cousins = 3.5

number of females cousins = 5.5