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The sum of two numbers is 12 and their difference is 20. What is the smaller number?

User Varro
by
5.2k points

1 Answer

7 votes

Answer:

16 and -4

Explanation:

Let the 2 numbers be x and y with x > y

x+y=12

x-y=20

Adding the 2 equations, term by term on both sides, will eliminate y leaving an equation in x that we can solve

(x+x)+(-y+y)=(12+20)

2x=32

x=16

16+y=12

y=-4

16+-4=12

12=12

16--4=20

20=20

User Ophir Radnitz
by
4.7k points
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