Question

The sum of two numbers is 17 and their difference is 29. Write the system of equations and solve using the best method. What are the two numbers?

Answer 1

Let's do this algebraically .....

x + y = 17      (subtract)
-(x - y = 29)

x + y = 17
-x + y = -29

2y = -12        divide both by 2
y = -6          use this in an original equation

x + y = 17
x - 6 = 17      add 6 to both sides
x = 23

our numbers are 23 and -6