Question

The sum of two numbers is 50 and the difference is 10 . What are the numbers? Larger number:........ Smaller number:............

Answer 1

larger number = 30 , smaller number = 20

Explanation:

let x and y be the two numbers, with x being the largest

establish 2 equations from the given information and solve simultaneously

x + y = 50 → (1)

x - y = 10 → (2)

add the 2 equations term by term to eliminate y

(x + x) + (y - y) = 50 + 10

2x + 0 = 60

2x = 60 ( divide both sides by 2 )

x = 30

substitute x = 30 into (1) and solve for y

30 + y = 50 ( subtract 30 from both sides )

y = 20

larger number = 30 , smaller number = 20