help me with this

Question

Two numbers total 20, and their difference is 50. Find the smaller of the two numbers.

The smaller number is  

Answer 1

Hello Omat 

 

Let x = smaller number and y = larger #

 

Equation 1: x + y = 20

 

Equation 2: y - x = 50

 

Add both equations, you get

 

2y = 70

 

y = 70/2 = 35.

 

Substitute y = 35 into Equation 1,

 

x + 35 = 20

 

x = -15