SOLUTION: The sum of two number is 40. Their difference is 8. Find the two numbers.

Question 99810This question is from textbook Beginning algebra sixth edition
: The sum of two number is 40. Their difference is 8. Find the two numbers. This question is from textbook Beginning algebra sixth edition

Answer by doukungfoo(195) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
First lets give each number a variable
We will call one number x
and the other number we will call y
Given: the sum of two numbers is 40 so

Given: their difference is 8 so

Now take the first equation and set it equal to x
To do this subtract y from both sides of the equal sign

Now take the second equation and replace the x with 40-y

So now that we have found y equals 16 we can replace the y in either of our original equations and solve for x

Now we have found the two numbers
x=24 and y =16
Check these by trying them in both of the original equations so

and the other

They both work so we know we have correctly found the numbers.

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The sum of two numbers is 40 and their difference is 16. Find the numbers. (answered by math_helper)