<PRE><B>Question 381197</B>
&lt;br&gt;&lt;font face=&quot;Tahoma&quot;&gt;Let x be the first number, and y be the second number: &lt;br&gt;

{{{x+y=10}}} first equation&lt;br&gt;

{{{x=4+2y}}}&lt;br&gt;

{{{x-2y=4}}} second equation&lt;br&gt;

We can use the elimination method to eliminate the x and solve for y by subtracting the second equation from the first equation to give us:&lt;br&gt;

{{{y-(-2y)=10-4}}}&lt;br&gt;

{{{y+2y=6}}}&lt;br&gt;

{{{3y=6}}}&lt;br&gt;

{{{y=2}}}&lt;br&gt;

Then just put this value y=2 back into either equation and solve for x:&lt;br&gt;

{{{x+y=10}}}&lt;br&gt;

{{{x+2=10}}}&lt;br&gt;

{{{x=8}}}&lt;br&gt;

Thus, the two numbers are 2 and 8&lt;br&gt;

Notice that if we switched the variables around, we would still end up with 2 and 8 as our answers.&lt;br&gt;

I hope this helps!&lt;br&gt;</PRE>