Question

The sum of two numbers is 16. Their diference is 20. Find the numbers

Answer 1

Step 1

Let the numbers be x and y and let us assume x is the bigger number

The equations then are;

`\begin{gathered} x+y=16----(1) \\ x-y=20--(2) \end{gathered}`

Step 2

Add equations 1 and 2

Hence,

`\begin{gathered} 2x=36 \\ (2x)/(2)=(36)/(2) \\ x=18 \end{gathered}`

Step 3

Find the value of y from equation 2