document.write( "Question 810207: The sum of a certain number and a second number is 24. the first number minus the second number is 40. Find the numbers.
\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #487987 by DrBeeee(684)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let a = the first number
\n" ); document.write( "Let b = the second number
\n" ); document.write( "The problem statement gives us two equations
\n" ); document.write( "(1) a + b = 24 and
\n" ); document.write( "(2) a - b = 40
\n" ); document.write( "To solve add (1) and (2) to get
\n" ); document.write( "(3) (a + b) + (a-b) = 24 + 40 or
\n" ); document.write( "(4) a + b + a - b = 64 or
\n" ); document.write( "(5) 2a + 0 = 64 or
\n" ); document.write( "(6) 2a = 64
\n" ); document.write( "Now divide each side of (6) by 2 to get
\n" ); document.write( "(7) 2a/2 =64/2 or
\n" ); document.write( "(8) a = 32
\n" ); document.write( "Using (1) with a = 32 we get
\n" ); document.write( "(9) 32 + b = 24 or
\n" ); document.write( "(10) b = 24 - 32 or
\n" ); document.write( "(11) b = -8
\n" ); document.write( "Check with (2).
\n" ); document.write( "Is (a - b = 40)?
\n" ); document.write( "Is (32 -(-8) = 40)?
\n" ); document.write( "Is (32 + 8 = 40)?
\n" ); document.write( "Is (40 = 40)? Yes
\n" ); document.write( "Answer: The two numbers are 32 and -8. \n" ); document.write( "
\n" );