Question

A number added to twice another number is-8. The sum of the two numbers is-2. What is the lesser of these two numbers?

Answer 1

-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