What two numbers have a sum 2, but a difference of -16?

Answer 1

First, write these out as equations:

x+y=2

x-y=-16.

I would solve the first equation for x:

x+y=2

Subtract x from both sides:

x=2-y

I would then substitute that equation into the second one for x:

2-y-y=-16

Simplify

2-2y=-16

Subtract 2 from both sides:

-2y=-18

Divides both sides by -2

y=9

Plug that y=9 into the first equation:

x+9=2

Subtract 9 from both sides

x=-7

So your two numbers that add up to 2 and the difference is -16 are -7 and 9.