Question

Twice a number minus another numberis 8. Their sum is -2. Find thenumbers.

Answer 1

Set x and y to be the two numbers we need to find; then, according to the question,

$\begin{gathered} 2x-y=8 \\ and \\ x+y=-2 \end{gathered}$

Solve the system of equations as shown below

$\begin{gathered} \Rightarrow y=2x-8 \\ \Rightarrow x+(2x-8)=-2 \\ \Rightarrow3x=6 \\ \Rightarrow x=2 \end{gathered}$

Finding y,

$\begin{gathered} x=2 \\ \Rightarrow y=2*2-8=-4 \\ \Rightarrow y=-4 \end{gathered}$

Thus, the answer is 2 and -4, option E.