Let the two unknown numbers be x and y
sum of x and y is 32
mathematically,
x + y = 32 .................. equation 1
the difference of x and y is 4
x - y = 4 ........................ equation 2
solve the two equations simultaneously
x + y = 32
x - y = 4
using substitution method
make x the subject in equation 1
x = 32 - y
substitute the value of x in equation 2
32 - y - y = 4
32 - 2y = 4
collect the like terms
-2y = 4 - 32
-2y = -28
divide both sides by -2
-2y/-2 = -28/-2
y = 14
to find x put the value of y into any of the equation
since x= 32 - y
x = 32 - 14
x = 18
the answer is x = 18 and y = 14