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Question 831967:  four times a number minus twice another number is -16. the sum of the two numbers is -1. find the numbers? 
 Answer by JulietG(1812)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! Let A and B be the numbers. 
Here's what we're told: 
4A - 2B = -16 
A + B = -1 
In the first equation, divide each side by 2. 
2A - B = -8 
Add B to each side 
2A = -8 + B 
Add 8 to each side 
2A + 8 = B 
Now substitute that value into the other equation. 
A + (2A+8) = -1 
Add the As 
3A + 8 = -1 
Subtract 8 from each side 
3A = -9 
Divide each side by 3 
A = -3 
If A is -3, then B must be 2 (the sum of the two numbers is -1.) 
. 
Let's put it into the question to make certain: 
(4 * -3) - (2 * 2) = -16 
-12 - 4 does indeed equal -16 
Success! 
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