Question

The difference between two numbers is 36. Their sum is 12

Answer 1

Let's use x and y for the numbers.

Difference means we are subtracting, so we know:

x - y = 36

Sum means we are adding, so we know:

x + y = 12

Now we can use substitution to solve. In the first equation, we can solve for x by subtracting y:

x = y + 36

Now plug y+36 in for x in the second equation.

(y+36) + y = 12

2y + 36 = 12

2y = -24

y = -12

Now plug -12 in for y to find x.

x + (-12) = 12

x = 24

So the numbers are 24 and -12