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"The sum of two numbers is -11. One of the numbers is 21 more than the other. What are the two numbers?"

A. -6, 15
B. -10, 31
C. -8, 29
D. -13, 32

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

The two numbers are -16 and 5.

Step-by-step explanation:

To solve this problem, we can create two equations based on the given information.

Let's say one number is x and the other number is y.

The sum of the two numbers is -11, so we can write the equation x + y = -11. We also know that one number is 21 more than the other, so we can write the equation x = y + 21.

Now we can solve these equations simultaneously to find the values of x and y.

Substituting the value of x in the second equation, we have y + 21 + y = -11.

Combining like terms, we get 2y + 21 = -11.

Subtracting 21 from both sides, we have 2y = -32.

Dividing both sides by 2, we get y = -16.

Plugging this value back into the equation x = y + 21, we find x = -16 + 21, which gives us x = 5.

Therefore, the two numbers are -16 and 5. Option A (-6, 15) is incorrect, Option B (-10, 31) is incorrect, Option C (-8, 29) is incorrect, and Option D (-13, 32) is incorrect.

User Ludovic Landry
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