Question #44498

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Answer 1 · 2017-09-21T18:01:36

#color(green)(x=12 and y=8)#

Let the two numbers be x and y.

So from what you said we know that #x+y = 20#.

We also know that #x-y = 4#.

Now if we rearrange the equation to make x the subject we get.

#x=y+4#

Now that we know the value of x let's substitute this into the equation #x+y=20#.

#(y+4)+y = 20# this can be rewritten as #2y+4 = 20#

Let's solve it!

Subtract both sides by 4

#2y+4 color(red)((-4))=20color(red)((-4)#

this gives us

#2y=color(green)(16)#

Divide both sides by 2

#2y color(red)(÷2)= 16color(red)(÷2)#

this gives us

# color(green)(y = 8)#

Now let us find the value of x via substitution.

#x+8=20#

Subtract both sides by 8
#x+8color(red)((-8))=20color(red)((-8)#

so we get x as

#color(green)(x=12)#