Answer:
The larger number is 5.
Explanation:
Let the numbers be represented by x and y. Then:
x + y = 8 is their sum, and
x² + y² = 34 is the sum of their squares.
Let's solve this system of equations using substitution. Since x + y = 8,
x = 8 - y. Subbing this 8 - y for x into the second equation, we get:
(8 - y)² + y² = 34, or
64 - 16 y + y² + y² = 34
Simplifying, we get first: 30 - 16y + 2y² = 0, and then:
2y² - 16y + 30 = 0, and after reducing, y² - 8y + 15 = 0.
This factors into (y - 3)(y - 5) = 0, and so y = 3 and y = 5.
The larger number is 5.