Question

The sum of two numbers is -6. Their difference is 36. What is the smallest number?

Answer 1

Let first number be x.

Let second number be y.

According to question,

x+y=36…….(equation 1)

and

x-y=6…..(equation 2)

equation 2 can be written as , x=6+y……(equation 3)

Put equation 3 in equation 1,

6+y+y=36

6+2y=36

2y=36–6

2y=30

y=30/2

y=15

now, put y=15 in equation 1,

x+15=36

x=36–15

x=21

So, numbers are 21 and 15.