Chicken Nuggets

By the Chicken McNugget Theorem, $xy-x-y=59$ . By adding $1$ to both sides, this can be factored into $(x-1)(y-1)=60$ . This gives $6$ possible distinct values of $(x,y)$ : $(2,61), (3,31), (4,21), (5,16), (6,13),$ and $(7,11)$ . Only one of these pairs, $(3,31)$ , cannot make both $20$ and $25$ .

This is a trivial problem that can be solved using the superior mathematics of linguistical analysis. Let's get started. Since the name 'McDaniels' has $9$ letters, subtract $9$ from $59$ and you get $50$ . Divide $50$ by $2$ because there are two variables, $x$ and $y$ . Now you have $25$ . Notice that the number $25$ also happens to appear in the middle of the problem. Coincidence? I think not. Now subtract $25$ from $59$ because the question asks for $x$ + $y$ and only simpletons use addition while true gamers use subtraction. Now you have the correct answer of $34$ .