Question

The sum of two numbers is 46 and the difference is 24 . what are the numbers?

Answer 1

Write an equation system based on the problem
eg. a and b is the numbers
a + b = 46
a - b = 24

Solve the equation system by elimination
First, I'm eliminating a to find the value of b
a + b = 46
a - b = 24
--------------- - (substract)
2b = 22
b = 22/2
b = 11

Second, I'm eliminating b to find the value of a
a + b = 46
a - b = 24
--------------- + (add)
2a = 70
a = 70/2
a = 35

The numbers are 35 and 11

Answer 2

35+11

I'm sure there's an algebraic way of determining that, but I don't know it. I just know that 34+12 = 46, and that's 22 apart, so one different in each direction = 24...