Question

The difference of two numbers is 4. Their sum is 22. Find the numbers

Answer 1

The two numbers (x and y) are 13 and 9 respectively. 13 minus 9 is 4 and 13 plus 9 is 22.

Explanation:

Let the two numbers be x and y.

The difference between x and y (x - y) = 4. (eqn 1)

Their sum (x + y) = 22. (eqn 2)

From eqn 1, we can get that x = 4 + y

Substituting x as (4 + y) in eqn 2 gives the following:

(4+y) + y = 22

4 + 2y = 22

and 2y = 22 - 4

2y = 18

dividing both sides by 2 gives y = 9.

Substituting y as 9 in eqn 1 gives

x - 9 = 4

x = 4 + 9

x = 13

Answer 2

let the two numbers = x and y

according to the statement : x-y=4

x+y=22

by elimination method: 2x=26

x=13

so... y = 13-4=9