Question

Two numbers have a sum of 23 and a difference of 5. What is the smaller of the two numbers.

Answer 1

Answer: 14, 9

Explanation:

Let larger no. be ‘x’
Let smaller no. be ‘y’

Sum (x + y) = 23
Difference (x - y) = 5

Therefore,
x + y = 23 => Eq. 1
x - y = 5 => Eq. 2

On Adding Eq. 1 and 2, we get :-
=> 2x + 0 = 28
=> 2x = 28
=> x = 28/2 = 14

Substitute x = 14 in Eq. 1 :-
=> x + y = 23
=> 14 + y = 23
=> y = 23 - 14 = 9

Therefore, x = 14 ; y = 9

Hence,
Larger number = 14
Smaller number = 9

Answer 2

9

Explanation:

Two numbers have a sum of 23 and a difference of 5. What is the smaller of the two numbers.

x + y = 23

x - y = 5

(23 - 5) : 2 = 9

9 + 5 = 14

check

14 + 9 = 23

14 - 9 = 5