document.write( "Question 143786: Solve by setting up the proper equation to describe the facts given and then carrying out the mathematical calculations to solve for the unknown variable(s).
\n" ); document.write( "The difference between two numbers is 3, and the sum of those two numbers is 21. What are the two numbers?
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #104635 by marcsam823(57)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let x = the first number
\n" ); document.write( "Let y = the second number
\n" ); document.write( "Let x + y = 21
\n" ); document.write( "Let x - y = 3\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I'll show you two strageties for solving this.
\n" ); document.write( "1) The first is the method of addition: add the equations together to eliminate a variable.
\n" ); document.write( "2) The second is the method of substitution: solve one of the equations in terms of one variable and and plug in or substitute that expression into the other equations.
\n" ); document.write( "Having more than one strategy to solve a problem allows for more flexibility in your approach!\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Method of addition:
\n" ); document.write( "1) Add the two equations together. Note that each of the y terms cancel each other out. Combine like terms:
\n" ); document.write( " \"x+%2B+y+=+21\"
\n" ); document.write( "+\"x+-+y+=+3\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "2) \"2x+=+24\"
\n" ); document.write( "3) \"x+=+12\" Divide both sides by 12\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "4) \"12+%2B+y+=+21\" Pick one of the given equations and solve for y by substituting your answer for x.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "5) \"y+=+9\" Subtract 12 from both sides\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "6) \"%2812%29+-+%289%29+=+3\" Check your answers by substituting into the other equation.
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\"3+=+3\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "This checks out
\n" ); document.write( "The solution is:
\n" ); document.write( "\"x+=+12\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"y+=+9\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Method of substitution:
\n" ); document.write( "Let x = the first number
\n" ); document.write( "Let y = the second number
\n" ); document.write( "Let x + y = 21
\n" ); document.write( "Let x - y = 3\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "1) Select one of the equations and solve for one of the variables (Let's solve our second equation for x}}}\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "\"x+-+y+=+3\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"x+=+3+%2B+y\" Add y to both sides\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "2) Substitute this expression for x in the other equation
\n" ); document.write( "\"x+%2B+y+=+21\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"%283+%2B+y%29+%2B+y+=+21\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "3) Solve for y:
\n" ); document.write( "\"3+%2B+2y+=+21\" Combine like terms
\n" ); document.write( "\"2y+=+18\" Subtract 3 from both sides
\n" ); document.write( "\"y+=+9\" Divide both sides by 2\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "4) Substitute this solution for y and solve for x:
\n" ); document.write( "\"x+%2B+y+=+21\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"x+%2B+9+=+21\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"x+=+12\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "5) Check your answers by substituting your into the other equation:
\n" ); document.write( "\"x+-+y+=+3\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"%2812%29+-+%289%29+=+3\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"3+=+3\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "This checks out
\n" ); document.write( "The solution is:
\n" ); document.write( "\"x+=+12\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"y+=+9\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" );