The problem states that the sum of two variables, a and b, equals 72. This means that there are infinitely many pairs of values for a and b that can satisfy this equation. For example, if a is 10, then b must be 62 (since 10 + 62 = 72). Similarly, if a is 36, then b must be 36 (since 36 + 36 = 72). Without additional constraints or information about the relationship between a and b, we cannot determine unique values for them. The key takeaway is that the equation a + b = 72 allows for multiple solutions.