Answer:
-6
Explanation:
a + 2b = -8 Eq. 1
a + b = -2 Eq. 2
From Eq. 1:
a = -8 -2b Eq. 3
From Eq. 2:
a = -2 -b Eq. 4
Equalizing Eq. 3 & Eq. 4:
-8 -2b = -2 -b
-2b + b = -2 + 8
-b = 6
b = -6
From Eq. 4
a = -2 - (-6)
a = -2 + 6
a = 4
Check:
From Eq. 1:
a + 2b = -8
4 + 2*-6 = -8
4 - 12 = -8
Answer:
-6<4
Then;
The lesser number is:
-6