Question

The sum of two numbers is 72 and their difference is 40. Using elimination method

Answer 1

here's what we know:

a + b = 72

a - b = 26

We can use the elimination method to solve this problem:

a + b = 72

a - b = 26

---------------

2a = 98

Divide both sides by 2:

a = 49

So we now have:

49 + b = 72

and:

49 - b = 26

Subtract 49 from both sides:

b = 23

and

-b = -23 (multiply both sides by -1) → b = 23

Explanation: