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The sum of two numbers is 23. when the second number is subtracted from the first​ number, the difference is 17. find the two numbers. what are the two​ numbers?

User Ferdinando
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1 Answer

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a, b - the numbers

\underline{+\left\{\begin{array}{ccc}a+b=23\\a-b=17\end{array}\right} |\text{add both sides of the equation}\\.\ \ \ \ \ 2a=40\ \ \ |:2\\.\ \ \ \ \ \ a=20\\\\\text{substitute to the first equation}\\\\20+b=23\ \ \ \ |-20\\b=3
Answer: 20 and 3.

User Peter Goldstein
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