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The sum of two numbers is 97. The difference is 19. Find the numbers

1 Answer

3 votes
58 and 39

To solve

Create a system of equations.

Say one number is X and the other is Y.

X+Y=97
X-Y=19

Use the first equation to find the value of either X or Y. I’m going to find it in terms of Y.

Subtract X from both sides.
X+Y=97 —> Y=97-X

Now, use that Y value and replace it in the second equation.

X-Y=19 —> X-(97-X)=19
Now solve for X.

1. Distribute terms in the parenthesis
X-97+X=19

2. Combine like terms.
2X-97=19

3. Add 97 to both sides
2X=116

4. Divide both sides by 2
X=58

Now, we can plug the X value in to any of the two first equations to solve for Y.

X+Y=97
58+Y=97
Subtract 58 from both sides and you get Y=39

X=58 and Y=39
User Rafael Moura
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