Should be easy but I am struggling for some reason.

Question

The sum of two numbers is 24.  The difference of those same two numbers is 15.  What are the numbers?

Answer 1

Chris, if the numbers are a and b, then a + b = 24 and a - b = 15.

 

Let's "solve" either equation for either a or b.  I'll solve the first for a.

 

a = 24 - b

 

Now, let's take that "value" for a and plug it into the other equation.

 

24 - b - b = 15

24 - 2b    = 15

        - 2b = -9

            b = 4 1/2

 

So, if b = 4 1/2, then a + 4 1/2 = 24, so a = 19 1/2.

 

Hope this helps!