Question

Solve the following question

The difference of two numbers is 12 and their sum is 20 find the numbers

Answer 1

16 and 4

Explanation:

Let (x+y) =20 and (x-y)=12 then:

Isolate for x in each equation

x=20-y and x=12+y

Set the equations to equal each other since the value of x should be the same for both

20-y = 12+y

Rearrange so that y is on one side and the numbers are on the other

8 = 2y

y= 8/2

y= 4

Now substitute the y- value back into either of the original equations

x+y= 20

x+4 = 20

Rearrange and isolate x

x = 20-4

x = 16

So the two values are 16 and 4