Question

The sum of two numbers is -4. the difference between those numbers is -38. what are the numbers?

Answer 1

The numbers are
`-21` and
`17`.

Explanation:

If we let the numbers be
`x` and
`y`, we can write the following system of equations to solve for them:

`x+y=-4` (since the sum - which indicates addition - of the two numbers is
`-4`)

`x-y=-38` (since the difference - which indicates subtraction - of the two numbers is
`-38`)

Solving for
`x` and
`y`, we get:

`x+y=-4\\x-y=-38`

`2x=-42` (Add the two equations together)

`x=-21` (Divide both sides of the equation by
`2` to get rid of
`x`'s coefficient and simplify)

`-21+y=-4` (Substitute
`x=-21` into one of the equations, I chose the first one but it doesn't matter which one you choose)

`y=17` (Add
`21` to both sides of the equation to isolate
`y` and simplify)

Therefore, the numbers are
`-21` and
`17`. Hope this helps!