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One number is nine less than another. Their sum is negative twenty-seven.

User Celene
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1 Answer

10 votes

Answer:

-18 and -9

Explanation:

Let x = the smaller number

Let y = the bigger number

One number is nine less than another:

⇒ x = y - 9

Their sum is negative twenty-seven:

⇒ x + y = -27

Substitute the first equation into the second and solve for y:

⇒ x + y = -27

⇒ (y - 9) + y = -27

⇒ 2y - 9 = -27

⇒ 2y - 9 + 9 = -27 + 9

⇒ 2y = -18

⇒ 2y ÷ 2 = -18 ÷ 2

⇒ y = -9

Substitute the found value of y into the first equation and solve for x:

⇒ x = y - 9

⇒ x = -9 - 9

⇒ x = -18

Therefore, the two numbers are -18 and -9.

User Janki
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