Question

What is the value of two numbers if their sum is 12 and their difference is - 4?

Answer 1

One number is 4 and the other number is 8.

Explanation:

Equation 1: Sum:

`x + y = 12`

Equation 2: Difference:

`x - y = -4`

Solution:

`x + y = 12`
`x - y = -4`

Add the two equations together:

`2x = 8`

Divide both sides by 2:

`x = 4`

Solve for y:

Use equation 1 substituting for `x`:

`x + y = 12`

`4+ y = 12`

Subtract 4 from both sides:

`y = 8`

Answer:

one number is 4 and the other number is 8.

`4 +8 = 12`

`4-8 = -4`