Question

Four times a number minus twice another number is -16. The sum of the two numbers is -1. Find the numbers.

Answer 1

-3 and 2

Explanation:

let the first number be x and the second be y

four times a number minus twice another number is -16

4x-2y= -16------i

the sum of the two numbers is -1

x+y= -1

x=-1-y------ii

substitute ii in i

4(-1-y)-2y=-16

-4-4y-2y=-16

-4-6y=-16

collectinglike terms

-6y=-16+4

-6y=-12

y=2

substitutes for y in ii

x=-1-y

-1-2

x=-3