Paul got a box of w erasers and x crayons for his birthday. At the end of the school year he only had y crayons left while not having lost a single eraser. How many more crayons than erasers did he have left?
Paul got a box of w erasers and x crayons for his birthday.

At the end of the school year he only had y crayons left while not having lost a single eraser.

How many more crayons than erasers did he have left?



We can set up an equation to solve this problem. 

x - y = more crayons than erasers

Paul had x crayons to start, and he lost y crayons, so he must have x - y crayons left.