SOLUTION: The difference of two numbers is 17, and their sum is 85. Find the smaller of the two numbers

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Question 214331: The difference of two numbers is 17, and their sum is 85. Find the smaller of the two numbers
Answer by drj(1380) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The difference of two numbers is 17, and their sum is 85. Find the smaller of the two numbers

Step 1. Let y be the larger number and x be the smaller number.

Step 2. y-x=-x+y=17 (given the difference of two numbers is 17.

Step 3. x+y=85 (sum is 85)

Step 4. Steps 2 and 3 form a system of linear equations.

-x%2By=17

x%2By=85

Add two equations together to get

2y=102%7D%7D+or+%7B%7B%28y=51

Then x=85-y=85-51=34

Step 5. ANSWER: The smaller number is 34.

I hope the above steps were helpful.

For free Step-By-Step Videos on Introduction to Algebra, please visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/IntroAlgebra or for Trigonometry visit http://www.FreedomUniversity.TV/courses/Trigonometry.

And good luck in your studies!

Respectfully,
Dr J