Question

The sum of two numbers is -26. One number is 12 less than the other. Find the numbers.

a) First number: 7, Second number: -19
b) First number: -19, Second number: 7
c) First number: -19, Second number: -7
d) First number: 7, Second number: 19

Answer 1

To find the two numbers, set up a system of equations. Let x be the first number and y be the second number. From the given information, we can write the equations x + y = -26 and x = y - 12. Solve this system of equations to find the numbers: x = -19 and y = -7.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the two numbers, we can set up a system of equations based on the given information.

Let's say the first number is x, and the second number is y. We know that their sum is -26, so we can write the equation:

x + y = -26

We also know that one number is 12 less than the other. This can be written as:

x = y - 12

We can substitute the second equation into the first equation to solve for the numbers:

(y - 12) + y = -26

2y - 12 = -26

2y = -14

y = -7

Substituting y back into the second equation, we can solve for x:

x = -7 - 12

x = -19

So, the first number is -19 and the second number is -7.