Question

The difference of two numbers is 4. Their sum is 18. Find the numbers.

Answer 1

11 and 7

Explanation:

Let these two numbers be x and y where x is greater than y.

We can write two equations from the given information:

x - y = 4

and

x + y = 18

If we add them together, the y's cancel out:

x - y = 4

x + y = 18

2x = 22

x = 11

y is 4 less than x, meaning it is 7.

The two numbers are 11 and 7