Question

What is the value of x to the second power - y to the second power

Answer 1

Answer:

(A) 272

Step-by-step explanation:

This system could have been made a lot harder!  A good idea is to look at the simplest equation.  The second equation is simpler because it doesn't even have x in it!  You can solve it for y:

$y-8=24 \\y=24+8=32$

Now put that value of  y into the first equation.

$\frac{x}{2}=2+\frac{1}{2}(32) \\ \frac{x}{2}=2+16=18$

Solve for x by multiplying both sides of the equaton by 2.

$\frac{x}{2}=18 \\ x=36$

Finally, put the values of x and y into the expression at the end of the question.

$x^2-y^2 \\ (36)^2-(32)^2 \\ 1296-1024 \\ 272$