Two runners ran as a team in a 5,000-m relay race. the first runner ran 500 m farther than the second runner. how many meters did each run?

Let x be the distance first runner ran.

Since first runner ran 500m more than 2nd runner so, x-500.

The total distances they ran must add to 5000.

So,

x + x - 500 = 5000, or

2x = 5500, or

x = 2750.

So the first runner ran 2,750 m. And the second runner ran x - 500 = 2750 - 500 = 2,250 m.

Let's check 2750+2250 = 5000.

The answer's correct.