Answer
$38$.
Work Step by Step
The given equations are
$b=2a-16$ and $b=a+2$.
$\Rightarrow 2a-16=a+2$
Add $-a+16$ to both sides.
$\Rightarrow 2a-16-a+16=a+2-a+16$
Add like terms.
$\Rightarrow a=18$
Substitute the values of $a$ into the first equation.
$\Rightarrow b=2(18)-16$
Simplify.
$\Rightarrow b=36-16$
$\Rightarrow b=20$
$a+b=18+20=38$.
