Question

The sum of two numbers is 12 and their difference is 20. What is the smaller number?

Answer 1

Answer:

16 and -4

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the 2 numbers be x and y with x > y

x+y=12

x-y=20

Adding the 2 equations, term by term on both sides, will eliminate y leaving an equation in x that we can solve

(x+x)+(-y+y)=(12+20)

2x=32

x=16

16+y=12

y=-4

16+-4=12

12=12

16--4=20

20=20