Highest number and lowest number.

Question

the sum of the number is 20 and the difference is 12 what is the highest number and what is the lowest number.

Answer 1

First, let's do some analysis of the grammar used here.

Evidently you are referring to TWO NUMBERS, so the word number should be plural.

When you are dealing with exactly two numbers, one is HIGHER, the other LOWER.

(Highest & lowest refers to three or more in a set of numbers. Example: since I have one sibling, I am the older.)

 

Let the two numbers be a and b; then a+b=20 and a-b=12.  This is an easily solved problem.

 

ADD THOSE TWO EQUATIONS; you get 2a = 32.  The rest is obvious, right?