The sum of the two numbers is 12. The difference between them is 4. Find the numbers?

1 Answer
KillerBunny
Jun 20, 2018

The two numbers are #8# and #4#

Explanation:

Call the two numbers #x# and #y#. The first sentence translates to #x+y=12#, while the second sentence translates to #x-y = 4#.

From the second equation we can deduce #x = y+4#. So, the first equation becomes

#y+4+y=12 \iff 2y+4=12 \iff 2y=8 \iff y=4#

Substitute this value for #y# in one of the two equations (say the second) to get

#x-4=4 \iff x=8#

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