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Question

the sum of 2 numbers is 21 and the difference is 5?

Answer 1

Let x be the larger number and y be the smaller one. We have two variables and two equations as follows:

 

x+y=21

x-y=5

 

therefore 2x=26 and x=13 and y=21-13=8. The two numbers are 8 and 13.

Answer 2

let x equal the number you are looking for. The second number the instructions say there is a difference of 5 between these tow numbers and when you add them together you get 21

 

So x= one number

 

and x-5 = second number

 

now, add these together to get 21

 

so

 

(x+x)-5= 21

 

2x-5=21

 

now solve algebraically and you'll have your answer

Answer 3

x+y=21

x-y=5