Question

The sum of two numbers is 842. The difference is 314. Find the numbers.

Answer 1

Let's call the two numbers x and y.

We know that x+y = 842 and that x-y = 314

Now that we have two equations, we can solve using substitution by solving for one variable in one of the equations, and plugging that in for the same variable in the other equation.

Lets solve for x in the second equation to get:

x = 314 + y

Now plug in 314+y for x in the first equation:

(314 + y) + y = 842

Combine like terms:

314 + 2y = 842

Now solve for y:

2y = 842-314

2y = 528

y = 264

Finally, plug 264 in for y to solve for x:

x + 264 = 842

x = 842-264

x = 578

The two numbers are 578 and 264.