SOLUTION: Solve the problem. The difference between two numbers is 4. Two times the smaller number minus four times the larger is -28. What are the numbers?

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Question 338220: Solve the problem. The difference between two numbers is 4. Two times the smaller number minus four times the larger is -28. What are the numbers?
Answer by katealdridge(100) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This is a systems of equations problem.
Let x=the larger smaller and y=the smaller number.
x-y=4 and 2y-4x=-28 Solve the first equation for x, so that you get x=y+4. This can now be substituted for x in the second equation.
2y-4%28y%2B4%29=-28 Solve for y and this will give you the smaller number.
2y-4y-16=-28 distributing the -4
-2y-16=-28 combining like terms
-2y=-12 add 16 to both sides
y=6 dividing both sides by -2
the smaller number is six, making the larger number 10. You can check this by substituting 10 and 6 in the second equation to see if you get -28.
If you have any further questions please check out my facebook page: Kate Calendrillo, tutor. I'd be happy to answer your questions.