Question

The sum of two numbers is 45. Their difference is 11.
What is the smaller number?

Answer 1

Let the numbers be a and b

Given that

a+b=45 ....(1)

a−b=11 ....(2)

Adding these two equations, we get

2a=56

⇒a=28

Substituting value of a in equation (1), we get

28+b=45

⇒b=45−28

⇒b=17

We get a=28 and b=17

Answer 2

x=28, y=17

Explanation:

x+y=45

x-y=11

x=28, y=17

28+17=45

28-17=11