Question

The sum of two numbers is 53 and the difference is 15 . What are the numbers?

Answer 1

34 and 19.

the sum of the two numbers is 53, x+y=53.

the difference is 15, x-y=15.

Add x+y=53

and x-y=15,

ys cancels, equaling x=34.

34-y=15, or y=19.

Answer 2

34 and 19.

Explanation:

Since the sum of the two numbers is 53, x+y=53. Since the difference is 15, x-y=15.

Adding x+y=53

and x-y=15,

The ys cancel, leaving 2x=68, or x=34. Therefore, 34-y=15, or y=19.